In insulin administration, what is the next step after injecting air into the insulin vial equal to the dose?

• A. Withdraw the prescribed amount of insulin from the inverted vial
• B. Rotate the vial between the palms of the hands
• C. Wipe the top of the vial with an alcohol swab
• D. Wash hands with soap and water

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that injecting air into the vial equal to the planned dose equalizes the pressure, making it possible to draw the insulin smoothly. After doing that, you invert the vial and withdraw the prescribed amount of insulin into the syringe. This step ensures you pull the correct volume and avoid a vacuum inside the vial. If bubbles appear, you can tap the syringe to move them to the top and push a small amount back into the vial before drawing up the final dose. Wiping the top with an alcohol swab is a hygiene step done before preparation, not the immediate next action after injecting air. Rotating the vial and washing hands, while good practices, are not the specific next step in this sequence.