Mealtime subcutaneous insulin safety check
RN OSCE practice station
Medication administration · 2 min to read · 8 min to perform
A written station. Free to try, no sign-up.
The task
You are the RN on a hospital ward. Harpreet Kaur, aged 48, has a signed order for insulin aspart 6 units subcutaneously immediately before lunch. The meal tray is expected now. Assess readiness and explain and demonstrate safe preparation and administration. Complete the supplied practice record. Speak to the patient and describe each assessment as you perform it. A second RN is available. You have eight minutes; describe and select physical actions in this online exercise.
What this station tests
- Harpreet’s six-unit dose needs the right insulin vial and a syringe marked in units.
- Inspect expiry, opening date, storage and appearance before the independent check.
- Meal present and ability to eat must be confirmed before rapid-acting insulin.
- The 0.06 mL calculation is not a reason to use a general mL syringe.
Sources for the clinical content
- ACSQHC: High risk medicines and systems
- NHMRC: Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare
- ACSQHC: Communicating for Safety Standard
- ACSQHC: NovoRapid Vial/Penfill product information
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.