Which insulin is categorized as intermediate-acting?

Prepare for the Glucose Management Test with interactive quizzes featuring multiple choice questions, hints, and detailed explanations. Boost your confidence and be exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

Which insulin is categorized as intermediate-acting?

Explanation:
Intermediate-acting insulin is designed to provide basal coverage with a slower onset and a longer duration than short-acting insulins. It works by staying in the system longer, giving a steady effect between meals and overnight. NPH insulin fits this profile because it’s formulated with protamine to slow absorption, producing an onset in the range of about 1–2 hours, a noticeable peak, and a duration roughly half a day to a full day. This makes it suitable for covering baseline insulin needs rather than for rapid correction after meals. In contrast, regular insulin is short-acting, acting more quickly but lasting only several hours; glargine is long-acting with a flat, near-constant effect for about a day; and degludec is ultra-long-acting, lasting even longer than a day.

Intermediate-acting insulin is designed to provide basal coverage with a slower onset and a longer duration than short-acting insulins. It works by staying in the system longer, giving a steady effect between meals and overnight. NPH insulin fits this profile because it’s formulated with protamine to slow absorption, producing an onset in the range of about 1–2 hours, a noticeable peak, and a duration roughly half a day to a full day. This makes it suitable for covering baseline insulin needs rather than for rapid correction after meals.

In contrast, regular insulin is short-acting, acting more quickly but lasting only several hours; glargine is long-acting with a flat, near-constant effect for about a day; and degludec is ultra-long-acting, lasting even longer than a day.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy