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Insulin safety — USMLE Step 3 MCQ

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ModerateEthics, Patient Safety, Quality Improvement, Systems-Based PracticeInsulin safetyUSMLE Step 3

A hospital has several near misses involving confusion between insulin glargine and regular insulin because both are stored in similar bins. One patient received rapid-acting insulin instead of basal insulin but was not harmed. Which of the following is the most appropriate quality improvement measure?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Separate storage, use barcode medication administration, and standardize insulin order sets

Insulin is a high-alert medication; safety measures include standardized prescribing, separation of look-alike products, barcode administration, and near-miss reporting.

Reference: Institute for Safe Medication Practices high-alert medication guidance