Errors in the preparation and application of insulin: an integrative review

Authors

  • Ana Karoline Alves da Silva Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Simony de Freitas Lavor Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Célida Juliana de Oliveira Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Edilma Gomes Rocha Cavalcante Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Emiliana Bezerra Gomes Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Kenya Waleria de Siqueira Coelho Lisboa Universidade Regional do Cariri
  • Ana Maria Parente Garcia Alencar Universidade Regional do Cariri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26694/reufpi.v14i1.5657

Keywords:

Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin, Medication Errors, Literature Review

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the scientific literature on errors in the preparation and application of insulin by people with diabetes mellitus and/or their guardians. Methods: This is an integrative literature review, carried out between January and April 2023, in the MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL via Ebsco, LILACS, Embase and Scopus databases. Studies published as original articles, in Portuguese, English, and Spanish and published in the last 10 years were included, resulting in a sample of 12 articles. Results: The most prevalent errors in the practice of preparing and applying insulin were: incorrect preparation of doses, above or below those prescribed; incorrect application; failure to rotate application sites; inadequate storage and preservation of insulin vials. Conclusion: Given the errors revealed, diabetes education for patients and those responsible for this practice is a fundamental strategy for avoiding errors in insulin therapy. Nursing can contribute to planning educational actions aimed at this public, making decisions to qualify the care provided.

Author Biographies

Ana Karoline Alves da Silva, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Simony de Freitas Lavor, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Célida Juliana de Oliveira, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Edilma Gomes Rocha Cavalcante, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Emiliana Bezerra Gomes, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Kenya Waleria de Siqueira Coelho Lisboa, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

Ana Maria Parente Garcia Alencar, Universidade Regional do Cariri

Universidade Regional do Cariri. Crato, Ceará, Brasil.

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Published

2025-03-24

How to Cite

1.
Silva AKA da, Lavor S de F, Oliveira CJ de, Cavalcante EGR, Gomes EB, Lisboa KW de SC, et al. Errors in the preparation and application of insulin: an integrative review. Rev Enferm UFPI [Internet]. 2025 Mar. 24 [cited 2025 Apr. 3];14(1). Available from: https://periodicos.ufpi.br/index.php/reufpi/article/view/5657

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