What is the recommended order for drawing up insulins?

The recommended order for drawing up insulins is to first draw the Regular insulin and then the NPH (Neutral Protamine Hagedorn) insulin. This practice is critical to prevent contamination and ensure patient safety. By drawing up the Regular insulin first, the risk of introducing NPH into the Regular vial is eliminated, which could lead to a dangerous deviation from the prescribed treatment.

Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin that is clear and takes effect quickly, whereas NPH insulin is an intermediate-acting insulin that is cloudy due to its protein content. Mixing these two types of insulin incorrectly can result in suboptimal glycemic control for patients. Therefore, always drawing the clear insulin first and then the cloudy insulin is paramount in ensuring that each type maintains its intended function and dosage.