Question

A nurse is caring for a group of clients. For which the following situations should the nurse complete an Incident report?

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

A client receives regular insulin 1 hr after a meal.

Rationale :

🧩 Regular insulin is typically administered 30 minutes before meals so that the onset of action coincides with the rise in blood glucose from food intake.

🧩 Giving regular insulin 1 hr after a meal is a medication error, because it does not follow the prescribed or safe timing for administration.

🧩 This timing error can place the client at risk for hypoglycemia or poor glucose control, depending on how much carbohydrate was absorbed.

🧩 Any medication error—wrong time, dose, route, or drug—requires an incident report according to facility policy.

🧩 The purpose of the incident report is to document the event, analyze causes, and improve safety systems, not to punish individuals.

A client receives an antibiotic 30 min after the scheduled time.

🧩 While giving an antibiotic 30 minutes late is a variance from the scheduled time, it is usually within a commonly accepted 30–60 minute window around the scheduled time for many medications.

🧩 This slight delay is unlikely to cause serious immediate harm, especially if it’s not a critical “time-to-the-minute” drug (like insulin or time-dependent chemo).

🧩 Nurses should still document the actual administration time and try to maintain consistent dosing intervals.

🧩 An incident report is typically reserved for significant errors or events with potential or actual harm, such as wrong patient, drug, dose, or serious delays.

🧩 Therefore, a 30-minute late antibiotic alone usually does not warrant an incident report in most exam scenarios.

A client refuses to get out of bed.

🧩 A client has the right to refuse care, including getting out of bed, as long as they are competent and fully informed of risks and benefits.

🧩 This is not considered a “nursing error” or “accident” but rather a client decision that should be documented in the chart with the teaching provided.

🧩 The nurse should explore the client’s concerns, address pain, fear, or dizziness, and encourage safe mobilization.

🧩 However, refusal alone is not an incident, unless it leads to an adverse occurrence such as a fall or other event.

🧩 Therefore, this situation does not require an incident report, only appropriate documentation and continued teaching.

A client was scheduled to be discharged 2 hr ago.

🧩 Delays in discharge can be frustrating and affect throughput and satisfaction, but they are often due to system factors like waiting for prescriptions, transport, or final orders.

🧩 Unless the delay leads to a specific safety event, such as missed medication or harm, it is generally not reported as an incident in this context.

🧩 The nurse should communicate with the provider, pharmacy, and case management to expedite any pending issues.

🧩 The situation should be documented in the nursing notes, but it is not typically an error like giving the wrong drug or dose.

🧩 Therefore, while not ideal, a delayed discharge alone does not meet the classic criteria for an incident report in NCLEX-style questions.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

Change the IV tubing at least every 6 hr.

Rationale :

💉 Propofol is a lipid-based emulsion, which increases the risk for bacterial growth if it hangs too long or the tubing is not frequently changed.

💉 Standard recommendations are to change the IV tubing and solution at least every 6–12 hours when infusing propofol, with many policies specifying q6h for safety.

💉 Frequent tubing changes help reduce the risk of bloodstream infection and contamination at the IV site.

💉 Because the drug is continuous and often used for sedation, meticulous IV care is crucial to maintain asepsis.

💉 Therefore, changing the IV tubing at least every 6 hours is an appropriate action to maintain a safe IV site for propofol infusion.

Change the IV site dressing daily.

💉 IV dressings are not typically changed daily unless they are loose, soiled, or compromised, as frequent changes can disturb the insertion site and increase infection risk.

💉 For many peripheral lines, transparent dressings are changed every 5–7 days per policy, or earlier if needed.

💉 The key issue with propofol is the tubing and solution, not frequent dressing changes, because of the lipid medium that can support microbial growth in the line.

💉 Daily dressing changes are not evidence-based for infection prevention in this context and might cause more site manipulation than needed.

💉 Thus, while the site and dressing should be assessed frequently, automatic daily dressing change is not the main maintenance strategy.

Disconnect the IV tubing when applying the client's gown.

💉 Frequently disconnecting and reconnecting IV tubing increases the risk for contamination and infection, especially with a lipid-based drug like propofol.

💉 Instead, the nurse should thread the tubing carefully through the gown or adjust the gown around the tubing to avoid disconnection.

💉 Every time the system is opened, there is risk of introducing microorganisms into the IV line.

💉 Maintaining a closed system is a key principle of IV therapy safety.

💉 Therefore, disconnecting the tubing for gown changes is not appropriate practice.

Increase the client's IV infusion rate as needed.

💉 The rate of propofol infusion is a prescribed dose based on weight and desired level of sedation and must be managed according to provider orders and sedation protocols.

💉 The nurse should not arbitrarily “increase as needed” just to maintain the IV site; rate changes must be based on clinical status and orders, not line maintenance.

💉 Adjustments in infusion rate can significantly affect cardiovascular and respiratory depression, which are major risks with propofol.

💉 Maintenance of the site focuses on sterility, patency, and proper tubing changes, not unauthorized rate changes.

💉 Hence, increasing the infusion rate “as needed” is unsafe and incorrect.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Respiratory rate

Rationale :

🫁 Propofol is a powerful sedative-hypnotic that can cause significant respiratory depression and even apnea if given in excessive doses.

🫁 During an outpatient procedure like colonoscopy, the client is sedated but may not be intubated, so spontaneous breathing must be closely observed.

🫁 Monitoring the respiratory rate and depth is essential to detect early signs of hypoventilation or airway compromise.

🫁 If respirations become too slow or shallow, the nurse must be prepared to support the airway and notify the provider immediately.

🫁 Therefore, among the options, respiratory rate is the priority parameter to monitor during propofol sedation.

Blood pressure

🫁 Propofol can also cause hypotension, so blood pressure is certainly important, but airway and breathing come first in the ABCs.

🫁 A dropping blood pressure is serious, but respiratory arrest from oversedation occurs more quickly and can be fatal without prompt intervention.

🫁 In sedation monitoring, respiratory rate and airway patency are considered the most critical immediate concerns.

🫁 Blood pressure should be monitored regularly, but it is secondary to ensuring adequate ventilation.

🫁 Thus, while important, BP is not the single highest priority compared with respiratory rate in this context.

Temperature

🫁 Temperature does not typically change acutely due to a short-term sedative like propofol during an outpatient procedure.

🫁 Fever or hypothermia are not common immediate complications of a brief colonoscopy with sedation.

🫁 Other vital signs, especially respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, give more urgent information about sedation risk.

🫁 Temperature monitoring may be appropriate in longer procedures, but it is not the priority during short sedation events.

🫁 Therefore, temperature is not the correct priority parameter here.

Pain level

🫁 Managing pain is always important, but during procedural sedation, the chief concern is safety of airway and breathing.

🫁 Propofol is often used for sedation and comfort, and pain is usually addressed with other adjunct medications or local measures.

🫁 The immediate life threat is respiratory depression, not undertreated pain.

🫁 Pain can be assessed as the client awakens or during recovery, but it is not the primary safety-monitoring parameter during active sedation.

🫁 Thus, pain level, while important, is not the priority compared to respiratory rate.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

Bone loss

Rationale :

🦴 Prednisone, a glucocorticoid, is well known to cause decreased bone formation and increased bone resorption, leading to osteoporosis and bone loss with long-term use.

🦴 This places clients at increased risk for pathologic fractures, vertebral compression fractures, and height loss.

🦴 The nurse should monitor for bone pain, changes in posture, and should anticipate that the provider might order bone density testing.

🦴 Preventive measures may include calcium, vitamin D, weight-bearing exercise, and sometimes additional medications to protect bone.

🦴 Therefore, bone loss is a key adverse effect to monitor in clients receiving long-term prednisone therapy.

Liver toxicity

🦴 While some medications are strongly associated with hepatotoxicity (like certain anticonvulsants or acetaminophen in large doses), prednisone is more prominently associated with metabolic, endocrine, and musculoskeletal effects.

🦴 Long-term glucocorticoid use is more likely to cause hyperglycemia, infection risk, Cushingoid features, and osteoporosis than direct liver toxicity.

🦴 Routine monitoring for liver damage is not the primary focus in a client on chronic prednisone.

🦴 If the client is on other hepatotoxic drugs, liver monitoring may be needed, but that is not specific to prednisone alone.

🦴 Thus, liver toxicity is not the main adverse effect the nurse is expected to watch for with prednisone.

Hypoglycemia

🦴 Glucocorticoids like prednisone tend to cause hyperglycemia, not hypoglycemia, because they increase gluconeogenesis and decrease peripheral glucose utilization.

🦴 Clients with diabetes may require increased doses of insulin or oral hypoglycemics when on chronic steroids.

🦴 The nurse should monitor for signs of elevated blood glucose, such as polyuria, polydipsia, and elevated serum glucose levels.

🦴 Hypoglycemia would not be an expected direct effect of prednisone unless the client is on other strong glucose-lowering therapies out of balance.

🦴 Therefore, hypoglycemia is not the expected adverse effect of long-term prednisone therapy.

Hemolytic anemia

🦴 Hemolytic anemia involves destruction of red blood cells and is associated with specific conditions or certain drugs, but it is not commonly linked to prednisone.

🦴 In some autoimmune hemolytic anemias, prednisone is actually used as a treatment, not a cause.

🦴 The major hematologic concern with glucocorticoids is more about immunosuppression and infection risk, not red cell destruction.

🦴 Therefore, monitoring for hemolytic anemia is not the key concern in a client taking long-term prednisone.

🦴 Bone and metabolic effects are more prominent.

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

The nurse provides the client with a list of websites that provide information about their new medication.

Rationale :

💻 Information technology involves using electronic or digital resources, such as websites, apps, or online databases, to support education and care.

💻 Providing a list of reputable websites allows the client to access up-to-date, detailed information about their medication outside the hospital.

💻 This supports independent learning, and clients can review content at their own pace and refer back as needed.

💻 It also connects clients to evidence-based resources rather than random internet searches that might be inaccurate.

💻 Therefore, giving the client credible online resources is a clear example of using information technology in client education.

Have the client repeat their discharge instructions

💻 Having the client repeat or “teach-back” instructions is a powerful teaching strategy, but it is a communication and comprehension technique, not specifically information technology.

💻 This method helps the nurse assess whether the client understands the instructions and can apply them correctly.

💻 However, it does not incorporate digital or electronic tools.

💻 It is excellent teaching practice but does not meet the definition of using information technology.

💻 Thus, while appropriate, it is not the IT-based action the question is asking for.

Provide a brochure about the new medication

💻 A printed brochure is a traditional teaching tool and can be very helpful, but it is paper-based, not an example of information technology.

💻 It does not use electronic media or digital resources.

💻 While useful for reinforcement, it doesn’t meet the question’s focus on technology integration.

💻 The exam is distinguishing between paper resources and electronic/online resources.

💻 Therefore, this is not an example of using information technology.

Write discharge medications on a medication card

💻 A medication card is also a paper tool and helps the client remember drug names, doses, and times, but it is not a form of technology.

💻 It supports organization and adherence but does not leverage digital platforms, online systems, or electronic devices.

💻 The question specifically focuses on information technology, so electronic and internet-based approaches are expected.

💻 This remains a valid educational aid but does not answer the IT component.

💻 Thus, this option is not correct for this question.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

Increased hemoglobin

Rationale :

🩸 Erythropoietin (EPO) stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells, thereby increasing hemoglobin (Hgb) and hematocrit (Hct).

🩸 It is commonly used in clients with anemia of chronic kidney disease or other conditions causing low RBC production.

🩸 When the medication is effective, the nurse should see a rise in hemoglobin toward the target range over several weeks.

🩸 This translates into improved oxygen-carrying capacity, less fatigue, and better tolerance of activity.

🩸 Therefore, an increased hemoglobin level is the best indicator that erythropoietin therapy is working.

Decreased white blood cells

🩸 Erythropoietin primarily affects the erythrocyte (RBC) line, not white blood cell (WBC) production.

🩸 A decrease in WBC count could actually be concerning, suggesting bone marrow suppression, infection, or other pathology, not beneficial effect.

🩸 The goal of EPO treatment is correction of anemia, not modification of immune cell counts.

🩸 Monitoring WBC is important for other reasons, but it does not measure the specific therapeutic effect of erythropoietin.

🩸 Thus, a decreased WBC count does not indicate effectiveness of this drug.

Increased calcium

🩸 Calcium levels are mostly related to parathyroid function, bone metabolism, renal excretion, and vitamin D status, not directly to erythropoietin action.

🩸 Erythropoietin does not have a primary effect on serum calcium.

🩸 A change in calcium could signal other metabolic issues but does not measure RBC production.

🩸 Therefore, increased calcium is not a relevant indicator of EPO therapy success.

🩸 The nurse should instead focus on hemoglobin and hematocrit values.

Decreased BUN

🩸 Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) reflects kidney function, hydration status, and protein metabolism, not erythropoietin’s direct action on RBC production.

🩸 While many clients on EPO have chronic kidney disease, improvement in anemia may not immediately change BUN levels.

🩸 EPO helps correct anemia of kidney disease, not the underlying renal impairment.

🩸 A decreased BUN might be due to improved hydration or diet, but it is not the target marker for EPO therapy.

🩸 Thus, decreased BUN does not demonstrate the effectiveness of erythropoietin.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Use a syringe to measure out the dosage of the toddler's medication.

Rationale :

🧃 An oral syringe allows the nurse to measure small, precise volumes, which is crucial for pediatric dosing where errors can be serious.

🧃 Household spoons or rough estimates can result in under- or overdosing, which is unsafe for a toddler.

🧃 An oral syringe also makes it easier to administer slowly and gently into the side of the cheek, reducing the risk of aspiration or gagging.

🧃 Using standardized measuring devices is part of medication safety principles and helps ensure the ordered dose is accurate.

🧃 Therefore, measuring the medication with a syringe is the correct and safest method for giving an oral suspension to a toddler.

Mix the medication in the toddler's preferred beverage

🧃 Mixing medication in a large volume of beverage may cause the child not to finish the drink, leading to partial dosing.

🧃 Some medications can be incompatible with certain liquids (e.g., acidic juices) or may alter their stability or taste, making the child even more reluctant.

🧃 It also makes it difficult to know how much medication the child actually ingested, especially if they stop drinking or spill.

🧃 Hidden medications in drinks can create distrust if the child later realizes they are being “tricked,” affecting future cooperation.

🧃 Therefore, mixing in a preferred beverage is not a recommended first-line strategy, especially for measured pediatric dosing.

Position the toddler in a semi-recumbent position during administration

🧃 While semi-recumbent is better than fully supine, the safest position for giving oral meds to a toddler is upright or seated, to minimize aspiration risk.

🧃 Semi-recumbent can allow fluid to pool in the back of the mouth or pharynx, especially if the child suddenly cries or struggles.

🧃 An upright sitting position supports better swallowing mechanics and gives the nurse greater control.

🧃 The question is testing safe measurement technique, and this option is not as correct as using a syringe for dosage accuracy.

🧃 Thus, this is not the best answer even though it is safer than supine; the focus is on how the medication is measured.

Administer the medication with the toddler in a supine position

🧃 A supine position increases the risk of aspiration, as liquid can flow toward the posterior pharynx if the child coughs or gags.

🧃 Toddlers may also struggle more when forced to lie flat, making controlled administration more difficult.

🧃 Safe medication administration by mouth requires the child to be upright or in a supported sitting position.

🧃 This position contradicts standard practice for pediatric oral medication safety.

🧃 Therefore, giving the medication while the toddler is supine is unsafe and inappropriate.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

Respiratory rate 10/min

Rationale :

💊 Morphine is an opioid analgesic that can cause respiratory depression, especially IV, where onset is rapid.

💊 A respiratory rate of 10/min in an adult is below the expected 12–20/min range, suggesting CNS and respiratory depression from opioids.

💊 Untreated, this can progress to hypoventilation, hypoxia, and respiratory arrest, making it a priority finding.

💊 The nurse should assess level of consciousness, oxygen saturation, and be prepared to reduce dose, stop infusion, or administer naloxone per protocol.

💊 Therefore, a RR of 10/min is an adverse reaction that needs immediate follow-up and intervention.

Heart rate 65/min

💊 A heart rate of 65/min is within the normal adult range (60–100/min) and is not, by itself, evidence of morphine toxicity.

💊 Mild bradycardia can be normal in resting or athletic clients, and this value is not dangerously low.

💊 While opioids may cause some hemodynamic changes, this HR alone does not indicate an adverse reaction.

💊 The question is asking for a vital sign that signals a problem related to morphine, which is primarily respiratory depression.

💊 Thus, HR 65/min is not the concerning abnormality here.

Blood pressure 140/86 mm Hg

💊 A BP of 140/86 mm Hg is slightly elevated but not typically associated with morphine’s primary adverse effects, which more often involve hypotension than hypertension.

💊 Pain or anxiety can transiently elevate BP, and as pain is relieved, BP often normalizes or decreases.

💊 This reading does not reflect a direct, dangerous complication from morphine administration.

💊 The life-threatening reaction we watch for is respiratory depression, not this mild BP elevation.

💊 Therefore, this value does not indicate the adverse effect the question is targeting.

Temperature 37.5° C (99.5° F)

💊 A temperature of 37.5° C is within normal or low-grade range and is not related to typical morphine side effects.

💊 Morphine does not commonly cause fever as an acute adverse reaction.

💊 The vital sign of concern after opioids is rate and depth of respirations.

💊 Temperature changes would be more related to infection or inflammatory processes, not immediate opioid overdose.

💊 Thus, this is not the correct abnormal vital sign associated with morphine’s adverse effects.

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

1.3

Rationale :

✍️First, determine the concentration: 125 mg in 2 mL means 125 ÷ 2 = 62.5 mg/mL.

✍️Next, set up the dose equation:

➡️Desired / Have × Volume = mL to give → 80 mg ÷ 62.5 mg/mL.

✍️Perform the division:

➡️80 ÷ 62.5

✅ 1.28 mL.

✍️Round 1.28 mL to the nearest tenth as instructed

→ 1.3 mL.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

Inject air into the vial with NPH insulin in it.

Rationale :

🧪 The correct sequence for mixing NPH (cloudy) and regular (clear) insulin is: air into NPH → air into regular → draw up regular → draw up NPH.

🧪 The first step is to inject air into the NPH vial without withdrawing any medication yet.

🧪 This avoids contaminating the regular insulin (clear) with NPH (cloudy) and maintains the purity of the regular insulin vial.

🧪 By pressurizing both vials first, the nurse can later withdraw insulin more easily and accurately.

🧪 Therefore, the first action is to inject air into the NPH vial, then proceed with air into regular and drawing up doses.

Draw up the regular insulin dose

🧪 Before drawing up regular insulin, the nurse should first inject air into both vials to avoid negative pressure and ease withdrawal.

🧪 If the nurse skips the air steps, it may be harder to withdraw the correct dose, and repeated needle insertions increase contamination risk.

🧪 The order is important: air into NPH, then air into regular, then draw up regular first to keep the clear insulin uncontaminated.

🧪 Drawing regular insulin before pressurizing both vials breaks the standard mixing technique.

🧪 Therefore, this action is not the first step in the proper sequence.

Draw up the NPH insulin dose

🧪 NPH insulin is drawn last, because we want to avoid contaminating the regular insulin vial with NPH; contamination the other way around is less problematic.

🧪 If NPH were drawn up first and then the same syringe used in the regular vial, it could alter the action profile of regular insulin.

🧪 Correct technique is: air NPH → air regular → draw regular → draw NPH, so drawing NPH first is out of order.

🧪 The sequence protects the short-acting insulin from being mixed with intermediate-acting particles in its vial.

🧪 Thus, drawing NPH first is not correct.

Inject air into the vial with regular insulin in it

🧪 Injecting air into the regular insulin vial is part of the process but it comes after injecting air into the NPH vial.

🧪 The standard sequence begins with NPH air, then regular air, and only then drawing the regular dose.

🧪 This order supports both pressure equalization and contamination prevention.

🧪 While this action is correct in the sequence, it is not the first action to take.

🧪 Therefore, this option is not the best answer to the question asking for the first step.

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RN PHARMACOLOGY 2023 ✅

No.

1 :
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. For which the following situations should the nurse complete an Incident report?

2 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving continuous IV propofol. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the client's IV site?

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving propofol for an outpatient colonoscopy. Which of the following is a priority for the nurse to monitor?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking prednisone for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed a new medication. Which of the following actions is an example of the nurse incorporating Information technology into educating the client about their new medication?

6 :
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who is taking erythropoietin. Which of the following results indicates the medication is effective?

7 :
A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin oral suspension to a toddler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

8 :
A nurse is caring for a client who received a dose of IV morphine for pain. Which of the following vital signs indicates the client is having an adverse reaction to the medication?

10 :
A nurse is mixing NPH Insulin and regular Insulin prior to administration. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

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RN PHARMACOLOGY 2023 ✅

No.

1 : A nurse is caring for a group of clients. For which the following situations should the nurse complete an Incident report?

2 : A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving continuous IV propofol. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the client's IV site?

3 : A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving propofol for an outpatient colonoscopy. Which of the following is a priority for the nurse to monitor?

4 : A nurse is caring for a client who is taking prednisone for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?

5 : A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed a new medication. Which of the following actions is an example of the nurse incorporating Information technology into educating the client about their new medication?

6 : A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who is taking erythropoietin. Which of the following results indicates the medication is effective?

7 : A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin oral suspension to a toddler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

8 : A nurse is caring for a client who received a dose of IV morphine for pain. Which of the following vital signs indicates the client is having an adverse reaction to the medication?

10 : A nurse is mixing NPH Insulin and regular Insulin prior to administration. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

1 :
A nurse is caring for a group of clients. For which the following situations should the nurse complete an Incident report?

2 :
A nurse is monitoring a client who is receiving continuous IV propofol. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to maintain the client's IV site?

3 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is receiving propofol for an outpatient colonoscopy. Which of the following is a priority for the nurse to monitor?

4 :
A nurse is caring for a client who is taking prednisone for long-term treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The nurse should monitor the client for which of the following adverse effects of this medication?

5 :
A nurse is caring for a client who was prescribed a new medication. Which of the following actions is an example of the nurse incorporating Information technology into educating the client about their new medication?

6 :
A nurse is reviewing the laboratory findings of a client who is taking erythropoietin. Which of the following results indicates the medication is effective?

7 :
A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin oral suspension to a toddler. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

8 :
A nurse is caring for a client who received a dose of IV morphine for pain. Which of the following vital signs indicates the client is having an adverse reaction to the medication?

10 :
A nurse is mixing NPH Insulin and regular Insulin prior to administration. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?