The nurse prepares to administer 18 units of intermediate-acting and 10 units of short-acting insulin to a client. What action does the nurse take first?

The initial step in the process of administering insulin is to prepare the syringe by drawing up air into it. This action is crucial, especially when dealing with vials of insulin. By injecting air into the vial of the type of insulin that requires drawing (in this case, the intermediate-acting insulin), the nurse creates a pressure difference that facilitates the drawing of the insulin into the syringe. This helps prevent the creation of a vacuum within the vial, which could make it difficult to draw the desired amount of insulin.

Additionally, this first action sets the stage for the correct preparation of medications, ensuring efficiency and accuracy in medication administration. After the air is injected into the intermediate-acting insulin vial, the nurse can then proceed to draw up the appropriate amounts of both the intermediate-acting and short-acting insulin in a safe and effective manner.

The other options pertain to steps that would follow this initial preparation or involve actions that do not align with standard insulin administration practices.