The Insulin Types + Peak & Onset

List ALL 4 insulin types you need to know?

Rapid-acting, short-acting, intermediate,-acting & long-acting

What is the other name for Rapid-acting insulin you might here?

Humalog or Lispro

What is another word you might here for SHORT-ACTING insulin?

Regular insulin

What is another name you hear for Intermediate insulin (ESPECIALLY when mixing insulin)

NPH or CLOUDY insulin

What is another name you might hear for Long-Acting Insulin?

Glargine or detemir

Q1: When should rapid‑acting insulin be administered in relation to meals?

A. At bedtime
B. Within 15 minutes before the meal
C. 30 minutes before the meal
D. Immediately after the meal

B 

When is the best time to give short‑acting (regular) insulin?

A. Two hours after eating
B. 30 minutes before eating
C. 5 minutes before eating
D. When the meal tray arrives

B 

A client receives intermediate‑acting insulin in the morning. When is the highest risk for hypoglycemia? 

A. Within the first hour after injection
B. During the first 15 minutes after injection
C. Immediately before bedtime
D. Between 4 and 14 hours after injection

D 

Which statement about long‑acting insulin is correct?
A. It has no onset and no peak, so meals must be timed carefully
B. It peaks sharply at 2 hours
C. It has no pronounced onset and a minimal peak between 1–4 hours
D. It begins working within 15 minutes and peaks at 1 hour

C 

A client is receiving both rapid‑acting and intermediate‑acting insulin in the morning. What instruction is most appropriate? 

A. Eat within 15 minutes of receiving the rapid‑acting insulin
B. Skip breakfast
C. Eat immediately after the intermediate‑acting insulin
D. Delay breakfast for at least one hour

A 

Which insulin is this? Rapid-acting, short -acting, intermediate-acting, & long-acting?

onset of 15-30 min

peak: 0.5 - 3 hours

rapid acting

Which insulin is this? Rapid-acting, short -acting, intermediate-acting, & long-acting?

onset: 1 - 2 hours

Peak: 4 - 14 HOURS

intermediate-acting

Which insulin is this? Rapid-acting, short -acting, intermediate-acting, & long-acting?

onset: 0.5 hour to 1 hour

peak: 1 to 5 HOURS

short-acting

Which insulin is this? Rapid-acting, short -acting, intermediate-acting, & long-acting?

onset: is NONE

peak: 1 to 4 hours

long-acting

What is the PEAK & onset of (humalog/lispro)?

peak: 0.5 - 3 hour

onset: 15 to 30 min

What is the PEAK & ONSET of Short-acting? (regular insulin)

peak: 1 to 5 HOURS

onset: 0.5 to 1 hour

What is the PEAK & ONSET of intermediate acting (cloudy/NPH insulin)

peak: 4 -14 hours

onset: 1-2 hours

What is the PEAK & ONSET of (determir & glargine) insulin

Peak: NONE

Onset: 1 - 4

What is the Correction Bolus Formula?

Current Blood glucose MINUS Ideal glucose ÷ glucose correction factor

Which insulin is given if a patient in DKA?

short-acting (regular) insulin

Which insulin sustains your BG day & night?

long-acting (determir or gargline)

Which insulin is usally MIXED w/ regular insulin?

intermediate insulin (NPH)

Which insulin is typically given 15 min before meals?

Rapid-acting