What should a nurse assess before administering insulin?

In the context of administering insulin, it is essential for the nurse to assess blood glucose levels and the patient's dietary intake. Monitoring blood glucose levels provides critical information on the patient's current glycemic status and helps determine the appropriate dosage of insulin needed, ensuring that it aligns with their metabolic needs.

Additionally, understanding the patient’s dietary intake is vital because insulin administration is closely related to food consumption. Insulin helps to manage the rise in blood glucose that occurs after eating, making it important to know what and when the patient has eaten to prevent both hyperglycemia (if insulin is given without sufficient food) and hypoglycemia (if food is not adequately timed with insulin administration).

This careful assessment aids in personalizing diabetes management and promoting patient safety and effectiveness in treatment, making it the most pertinent choice in this context.