What adjustment should be made for a patient experiencing nighttime hypoglycemia when using Novolin 70/30?

For a patient experiencing nighttime hypoglycemia while using Novolin 70/30, the appropriate adjustment involves changing the timing of the nighttime insulin injection. Novolin 70/30 contains both rapid-acting and intermediate-acting insulin, which can lead to an overlap in insulin action during the nighttime hours. If the insulin is administered too close to bedtime, the peak effect of the insulin can result in lower blood sugar levels during the night, causing hypoglycemia.

By adjusting the time of the nighttime insulin injection, there is an opportunity to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia. For example, administering the insulin earlier in the evening may allow the patient to avoid the peak action phase of the medication when they are asleep. This can lead to better control of blood glucose levels during the night and decrease the likelihood of experiencing hypoglycemia.

Other options, such as decreasing the morning or evening dosage of 70/30 or having a bedtime snack, could be strategies to prevent hypoglycemia but they do not specifically address the causal relationship between insulin timing and nocturnal hypoglycemia. Adjusting the administration schedule directly impacts when the insulin's effects are felt, providing a more tailored response to the problem at hand.