NCLEX-RN practice › Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies
NCLEX dosage calculation: prandial plus correction insulin
Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies · Multiple choice · Clinical judgment step: Take action
Client record
Prescriptions
Insulin lispro 4 units subcutaneously with meals
Plus correction scale with meals (below)
Hold prandial dose if client is not eating
Correction scale
| Glucose (mg/dL) | Additional lispro |
|---|---|
| 150–200 | 2 units |
| 201–250 | 4 units |
| 251–300 | 6 units |
| 301–350 | 8 units |
| Above 350 | Notify provider |
Point of care
- 1130 glucose
- 268 mg/dL
Lunch tray arrived; client states hungry
The nurse is preparing a client's prelunch insulin. How many units of insulin lispro should the nurse administer?
- A. 4 units
- B. 6 units
- C. 10 units
- D. 14 units
Show the answer and rationales
Answer: C
Prandial plus correction: 4 units for the meal plus 6 units for a glucose in the 251–300 band gives 10 units.
- A. Incorrect. This is the prandial dose alone and omits the correction.
- B. Incorrect. This is the correction alone and omits the prandial dose.
- C. Correct. Correct. The client is eating, so the 4-unit prandial dose is given plus 6 units for a glucose of 268 mg/dL (251–300 band).
- D. Incorrect. This uses the 301–350 band (8 units) plus 6, which is not prescribed.
Practise more NCLEX questions like this, free →
10 free questions a day, with rationales. Unlimited with a weekly or monthly pass.
More NCLEX practice questions
- NCLEX question: amiodarone monitoring (SATA)
- NCLEX question: warfarin reversal in a major bleed (SATA)
- NCLEX dosage calculation: pediatric acetaminophen in mL
- NCLEX calculation: 8-hour intake
- NCLEX question: signs of rising intracranial pressure (SATA)
- NCLEX prioritization question: which client to see first
All Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies questions → · NCLEX-RN practice hub →
NCLEX® and NCLEX-RN® are registered trademarks of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, Inc. (NCSBN). RecallMed is independent and is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, NCSBN or any board of nursing. All questions are original, written and reviewed for exam practice, and do not come from any NCLEX exam. They are not a substitute for your nursing education or clinical guidelines.