Insulin Couselling

Question 1

How to start consultation?

Answer 1

Brief history

Ask what they know about diabetes and insulin

ICE

Explain diabetes briefly

Question 2

How does insulin work and when to take it?

Answer 2

Works by allowing the glucose in your diet to enter the cells of your body instead of remaining in the blood stream

Long acting insulin at start of day followed by short acting with meals

Question 3

Where to inject insulin?

Answer 3

Into the fatty layer of the tummy - switch injection sites to ensure better absorption

Important not to inject into a vessel and to inject into fat bc slows the rate at which it takes effect

Question 4

Side effects of insulin?

Answer 4

Can get lumpy areas of fat if injecting same site often. Can also experience swelling

Hypoglycaemia - sweating, anxiety, hunger, blurred vision, tremor

Question 5

If patient is experiencing symptoms of a hypo what should they do?

Answer 5

Eat source of fast acting glucose

Gummy / OJ etc.

Question 6

Monitoring for insulin?

Answer 6

HbA1c checks every 3-6 months

Daily finger prick glucose - usually 4x per day? (according to geeky medics. Before meals and before bed) - aim for sugar between 5-7

Question 7

Sick day rules for insulin?

Answer 7

Increase blood glucose monitoring to 4 hourly & check urine for ketones

Keep eating and taking insulin & drink water