Medication Therapy for Diabetes

These flashcards focus on key vocabulary terms related to medication therapy for diabetes, addressing assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and patient education.

Hypoglycemia

A condition characterized by abnormally low blood glucose levels, typically under 4 mmol/L, with symptoms such as confusion and irritability.

Hyperglycemia

Abnormally high blood glucose levels, over 14 mmol/L, with symptoms like polyuria and fatigue.

Insulin

A hormone produced by the pancreas that regulates blood glucose levels, with different types affecting the body in varied ways.

Biguanide

An oral antihyperglycemic agent that works by decreasing hepatic glucose production.

Sulfonylureas

Oral antihyperglycemic drugs that stimulate insulin release from the pancreas.

Metformin

An oral medication for type 2 diabetes that improves insulin sensitivity and decreases glucose production in the liver.

Glyburide

An oral drug that stimulates insulin secretion from the beta cells in the pancreas.

A1C Levels

Blood test that measures the average glucose levels over the past 2 to 3 months; an important indication of diabetes management.

Insulin Sliding Scales

Instructions for how much insulin a patient needs based on blood glucose readings, often structured in sliding scales.

Medical Alert Bracelet

A wearable device that informs medical personnel of a patient's health conditions in emergencies.

Prevention of Hypoglycemia

Strategies to avoid low blood sugar levels, including stable diet, consistent medication administration, and monitoring of glucose levels.

Dextrose Gel

A fast-acting source of glucose used to treat hypoglycemia, especially if the patient is unable to swallow.

Diabetic Ulcers

Wounds that occur on the feet or lower extremities of diabetic patients, often due to poor circulation and nerve damage.

Insulin Types

rapid, short, intermediate, long 

Which type is the highest risk for hypoglycaemia

Rapid

Most common route for insulin to be administered

SubQ

Common generic names for Short-Acting

Regular

Brand names for Short Acting 

HumulinR, Novolin R,

Commone Generic names for Rapid Acting

Lispro, Aspart, Glulisline

Brand Names for Rapid Acting

Humalog, Novolog, Apidra

Generic Names for Intermediate acting

NPH

Trade  Names for Intermediate

Humulin N, Novolin N,

Generic Names for long acting

Glargine, detemir, degludec

Trade  Names for Long acting

Lantus, Levemir, Tresiba

onset, peak of long acting

Onset:3-4 hr Peak: none

onset, peak and duration of intermediate acting

Onset: 1-2hr Peak:4-12hr Duration: 18-24hr

What is the onset, peak and duration of Short acting

Onset: 30-60mins Peak:2-4hr Duration: 5-7hr

What is the onset, peak and duration of Rapid acting

Onset: 5-30mins Peak:30-90mins Duration: 3-5hr

Which type of insulin is never mixed

Long

Sequence for mixing NPH and regular

NPH, R, R, NPH (cloudy, clear, clear, cloudy)

Common Administration Sites

Back of arms, abdomen, thighs

For abdomen how far away from umbilicus

2 inches