MACE Medication Assistant Exam Prep

Category - MACE Test Prep

The nurse and medication aide administer a dose of six units of regular insulin (Humulin R) to a patient at 8AM. Given the action of regular insulin, when would it make sense to monitor for a hypoglycemic reaction could occur?

  1. Between 8:00 AM and 10:00 AM
  2. Between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM
  3. Between 2:00 PM and 10:00 PM
  4. Between 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM the next day
Explanation

Answer - B - It would make sense to monitor the closest for a hypoglycemic reaction between 10 AM and noon in this case. Regular insulin is a short-acting insulin with an onset of action in ½ - 1 hour.  The peak occurs 2-3 hours after administration and has an overall duration of action of 4-8 hours. Hypoglycemia is most likely to occur during peak insulin times.  

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