If a nurse administers too much insulin to a client, what should be the initial action?

The initial action after administering too much insulin is to assess the client for hypoglycemia. This is crucial because insulin lowers blood glucose levels, and administering an excessive amount can lead to dangerously low levels. Early identification of hypoglycemia allows for prompt intervention, such as administering glucose or carbohydrates to counteract the effects of the high insulin dose.

When assessing the client, the nurse will look for signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia, which can include confusion, weakness, sweating, shakiness, irritability, or even loss of consciousness. This assessment is a priority because the immediate safety and well-being of the client is paramount.

Although notifying the primary healthcare provider is important, it is not the first step; the nurse needs to ensure the client is stable first. Completing an incident report and withholding the client's regular insulin infusion are also actions that would be taken later, contingent on the initial assessment findings. Ensuring the client's safety and addressing any immediate risks should always come first in situations of potential medication errors.