Insulin for a patient with a diabetic foot ulcer
NMC OSCE practice station
Medication administration · 1 min to read · 15 min to perform
Check the prescriptions and his condition, give the medicines as appropriate, and explain what you are doing.
Winston ClarkeNurse, is that my lunch coming? I'm starving.
Free · no sign-up · uses your one free station
Open the full station (charts, voice, result letter) →The task
You are the nurse on a medical ward. Winston Clarke, aged 63, was admitted this morning with an infected foot ulcer. His blood glucose is high. His medicines chart shows insulin to be given with lunch and an antibiotic due now. Check the prescriptions and his condition, give the medicines as appropriate, and explain what you are doing. A second nurse is available to check with you and the ward doctor can be reached by telephone. Complete the medicines record.
What this station tests
- Ask about allergies yourself; a blank allergy box means unknown, not none.
- Never give a penicillin to a patient reporting a penicillin allergy, and tell the prescriber.
- Insulin needs a prescription check, a glucose check and an independent second check.
- Prime the pen, hold it in place after injecting and never recap the needle.
- A diabetic foot ulcer with infection needs urgent specialist foot care.
Sources for the clinical content
- NICE NG19: Diabetic foot problems: prevention and management
- NICE NG28: Type 2 diabetes in adults: management
- NHS: Flucloxacillin
- NMC: The Code
An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.