Before administering insulin, what is the first action to take?

The first action to take before administering insulin is to check the blood glucose level. This is essential because insulin is a medication that lowers blood sugar levels, and without knowing the patient's current blood glucose reading, you cannot determine the appropriate dose of insulin needed or whether it is necessary to administer any insulin at all. Administering insulin without this critical piece of information can lead to serious complications, including hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), which can be life-threatening.

Checking blood glucose not only informs the nurse about the immediate treatment needs but also helps in planning ongoing management of the patient’s diabetes. Accurate monitoring of blood glucose levels is a cornerstone of safe and effective diabetes management.

Other actions, such as notifying the physician or assessing for allergies, may be part of the medication administration process but are not the immediate priority before giving insulin. Checking PTT levels is not relevant in this context, as PTT is associated with anticoagulation therapy and is not related to insulin administration.