INDIANA QMA INSULIN
ADMINISTRATION EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which organ is responsible for the secretion of insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream?
A. Pancreas
B. Gallbladder
C. Liver
D. Spleen
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pancreas contains the islets of Langerhans, which secrete
insulin (beta cells) and glucagon (alpha cells) to regulate blood glucose levels.
2. Which of the following describes the function of insulin in the body?
A. It stimulates the liver to release stored glucose.
B. It acts as a key to allow glucose to enter the cells for energy.
C. It breaks down proteins into amino acids.
D. It increases the blood glucose level during fasting.
,Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose
from the blood into the body’s cells, where it is used for energy.
3. A QMA is preparing to administer Humalog. What is the typical onset of action for this
rapid-acting insulin?
A. 5 to 15 minutes
B. 30 to 60 minutes
C. 2 to 4 hours
D. 6 to 10 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Rapid-acting insulins like Lispro (Humalog) and Aspart
(Novolog) have a very fast onset, usually within 5 to 15 minutes.
4. When mixing Regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe, which insulin should be drawn
up first?
A. NPH (Cloudy)
B. Regular (Clear)
C. It does not matter
D. Whichever vial is newer
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Regular (clear) insulin must be drawn first to prevent
contaminating the fast-acting insulin vial with the long-acting protein (NPH). Remember
‘Clear to Cloudy’.
5. What is the peak action time for NPH (Intermediate-acting) insulin?
A. 30-90 minutes
B. 1-2 hours
C. 18-24 hours
D. 4-12 hours
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NPH insulin typically peaks between 4 and 12 hours after
administration, which is when the risk for hypoglycemia is highest.
6. Which type of insulin is considered ‘peakless’ and provides a steady level of insulin for 24
hours?
A. Glargine (Lantus)
B. NPH
C. Regular
D. Lispro
Answer: A
ADMINISTRATION EXAM 2026/2027
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which organ is responsible for the secretion of insulin and glucagon into the bloodstream?
A. Pancreas
B. Gallbladder
C. Liver
D. Spleen
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: The pancreas contains the islets of Langerhans, which secrete
insulin (beta cells) and glucagon (alpha cells) to regulate blood glucose levels.
2. Which of the following describes the function of insulin in the body?
A. It stimulates the liver to release stored glucose.
B. It acts as a key to allow glucose to enter the cells for energy.
C. It breaks down proteins into amino acids.
D. It increases the blood glucose level during fasting.
,Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Insulin is a hormone that facilitates the transport of glucose
from the blood into the body’s cells, where it is used for energy.
3. A QMA is preparing to administer Humalog. What is the typical onset of action for this
rapid-acting insulin?
A. 5 to 15 minutes
B. 30 to 60 minutes
C. 2 to 4 hours
D. 6 to 10 hours
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Rapid-acting insulins like Lispro (Humalog) and Aspart
(Novolog) have a very fast onset, usually within 5 to 15 minutes.
4. When mixing Regular and NPH insulin in the same syringe, which insulin should be drawn
up first?
A. NPH (Cloudy)
B. Regular (Clear)
C. It does not matter
D. Whichever vial is newer
Answer: B
, Conceptual Explanation: Regular (clear) insulin must be drawn first to prevent
contaminating the fast-acting insulin vial with the long-acting protein (NPH). Remember
‘Clear to Cloudy’.
5. What is the peak action time for NPH (Intermediate-acting) insulin?
A. 30-90 minutes
B. 1-2 hours
C. 18-24 hours
D. 4-12 hours
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: NPH insulin typically peaks between 4 and 12 hours after
administration, which is when the risk for hypoglycemia is highest.
6. Which type of insulin is considered ‘peakless’ and provides a steady level of insulin for 24
hours?
A. Glargine (Lantus)
B. NPH
C. Regular
D. Lispro
Answer: A
