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Insulin needle reuse counselling — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardEndocrine TherapeuticsInsulin needle reuse counsellingGPhC CRA

A patient leaves the needle attached to an insulin pen between doses and reuses it for three days. Recent doses have occasionally leaked and the pen sometimes expels air before priming. Which intervention is most appropriate?

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

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Use a new needle for each injection and remove it afterwards

Pen needles are single use and should be removed immediately after injection. Leaving one attached can permit insulin leakage and air entry as temperatures change, contributing to inaccurate dosing, while reuse causes blunting and tissue trauma. A new needle is fitted and primed according to the pen instructions for every injection, then discarded in a sharps container.

Reference: Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals, Insulin administration: https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/departments/diabetes-and-endocrinology/diabetes/living-with-diabetes/medications/insulin/