NR293- Pharmacology- Week 2/Unit 5- Glucose Regulation:
Long Acting Insulin | UPDATED Questions with 100% Verified
Answers
Chamberlain University-Illinois • NR 293
Q1: Long-acting insulins, such as insulin glargine, provide what advantages for clients living with diabetes
compared to regular insulin? Select all that apply.
A: Decreased emergency department (ED) visits Fewer long-term complications Fewer daily injections
Q2: Decreased emergency department (ED) visits Fewer daily injections Able to eat whatever they want
Fewer long-term complications Not worrying about losing weight
A: The advantages of using long-acting insulin are two-fold: fewer daily injections of insulin and a decreased risk of
complications associated with abnormal serum glucose, both short-term (e.g., hypoglycemia) and long-term (e.g.,
vascular disease retinopathy). Treatment with long-acting insulin also results in fewer emergency department visits
for older adults when compared to treatment with insulin isophane suspension (NPH; Bradley et al., 2021). Clients
with diabetes using long-term insulin for glucose control should still consume a healthy, balanced diet and maintain a
healthy weight to further decrease the risks of short- and long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.
Q3: Glargine is sometimes referred to as a __________ insulin because its ability to maintain __________
control between meals is like that of the __________.
A: Basal Glycemic Pancreas Due to its formulation, long-acting insulin has a longer onset and duration of action when
compared to other types of insulin. It is sometimes referred to as a basal insulin because its ability to maintain
glycemic control between meals is like that of the pancreas. Detemir is another type of long-acting insulin that is also
considered a basal insulin. No insulin is referred to as complete, though combining insulins of different types can
mimic the normal function of the pancreas. Glargine does not maintain absolute control, nor does it maintain appetite
control. The hypothalamus and liver are not directly responsible for maintaining serum glucose levels between meals.
Q4: Insulin glargine can be administered subcutaneously to which sites on the body? Select all that apply.
Upper hip Forearm Front of thigh Back of lower leg Lower abdomen
A: Front of thigh Upper hip Lower abdomen A subcutaneous injection is administered into fatty tissue. Due to the
frequency of insulin injections, the site should be rotated between the lower abdomen, anterior (front) thighs, upper
arms, and upper hips (which are less common) to avoid injection site complications. The forearm and back of the
lower leg are not appropriate sites for subcutaneous injections.
, Q5: Long-Acting Insulin
A: Description: -Insulin glargine is a clear, colorless solution with a pH of 4.0. -Lowers blood glucose by stimulating
glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat, while inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Administration: -Administered
as a single subcutaneous injection at the same time each day. -Forms micro-precipitates that are absorbed slowly
over 24 hours. -Considered a basal insulin to maintain glycemic control between meals. Pharmacokinetics: -Onset:
1–2 hours -Peak: No peak -Duration: 24 hours Advantages: -Fewer daily injections. -Decreased risk of short-term
(e.g., hypoglycemia) and long-term complications (e.g., vascular disease, retinopathy). -Fewer emergency
department visits compared to NPH. -Can be administered without regard to meal timing as long as caloric intake is
consistent.
Q6: Glargine: Indications and Contraindications
A: Indications: -Type 1 Diabetes: Clients can switch from short- or intermediate-acting insulins to long- acting insulin
(glargine) for basal control, using rapid-acting insulin as needed. -Type 2 Diabetes: Often prescribed as a supplement
to oral antidiabetic medications to achieve and maintain glycemic control (HbA1C < 7%). -Pregnancy in Type 1 DM:
Widely researched for women using glargine before pregnancy, but requires close monitoring and dose adjustments
during pregnancy. -Gestational Diabetes: Glargine is not recommended due to a lack of quality research evidence for
safety in this population. Contraindications: -Hypoglycemia: Contraindicated for clients experiencing hypoglycemia.
-Allergy: Contraindicated in clients with a known allergy to insulin glargine. -Caution: ---During stress or infection (may
increase insulin requirements).In clients with renal or hepatic impairment (may decrease insulin requirements). ---In
clients taking pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (may increase fluid retention and worsen heart failure).
Q7: Indicate the onset of action, peak effect, and duration of action for glargine using the drop-down menus
to complete the table.
A: Onset: 1-2 hours Peak: None Duration: 24 hours
Q8: What is true about mixing insulin glargine?
A: Not compatible with other insulins
Q9: Compatible with intermediate-acting insulins Compatible with long-acting insulins Not compatible with
other insulins Compatible with rapid- and short-acting insulins
A: Long-acting insulins (e.g., glargine, detemir) should not be mixed with any medication or solution for administration.
Long-, short-, and intermediate-acting insulins are not compatible to mix with glargine.
Q10: What is the onset for insulin glargine?
A: 1–2 hours
Q11: 1-2 hours 18 hours None 24 hours
A: Long-acting insulin has an onset action of 1-2 hours, is released continuously, and does not have a peak of action.
Based on the time/action profile for long-acting insulin, glargine is most often administered once daily in the evening.
Other long-acting insulins, such as detemir, may be administered once or twice daily. The duration of insulin glargine
is 16–24 hours.
Long Acting Insulin | UPDATED Questions with 100% Verified
Answers
Chamberlain University-Illinois • NR 293
Q1: Long-acting insulins, such as insulin glargine, provide what advantages for clients living with diabetes
compared to regular insulin? Select all that apply.
A: Decreased emergency department (ED) visits Fewer long-term complications Fewer daily injections
Q2: Decreased emergency department (ED) visits Fewer daily injections Able to eat whatever they want
Fewer long-term complications Not worrying about losing weight
A: The advantages of using long-acting insulin are two-fold: fewer daily injections of insulin and a decreased risk of
complications associated with abnormal serum glucose, both short-term (e.g., hypoglycemia) and long-term (e.g.,
vascular disease retinopathy). Treatment with long-acting insulin also results in fewer emergency department visits
for older adults when compared to treatment with insulin isophane suspension (NPH; Bradley et al., 2021). Clients
with diabetes using long-term insulin for glucose control should still consume a healthy, balanced diet and maintain a
healthy weight to further decrease the risks of short- and long-term complications of diabetes mellitus.
Q3: Glargine is sometimes referred to as a __________ insulin because its ability to maintain __________
control between meals is like that of the __________.
A: Basal Glycemic Pancreas Due to its formulation, long-acting insulin has a longer onset and duration of action when
compared to other types of insulin. It is sometimes referred to as a basal insulin because its ability to maintain
glycemic control between meals is like that of the pancreas. Detemir is another type of long-acting insulin that is also
considered a basal insulin. No insulin is referred to as complete, though combining insulins of different types can
mimic the normal function of the pancreas. Glargine does not maintain absolute control, nor does it maintain appetite
control. The hypothalamus and liver are not directly responsible for maintaining serum glucose levels between meals.
Q4: Insulin glargine can be administered subcutaneously to which sites on the body? Select all that apply.
Upper hip Forearm Front of thigh Back of lower leg Lower abdomen
A: Front of thigh Upper hip Lower abdomen A subcutaneous injection is administered into fatty tissue. Due to the
frequency of insulin injections, the site should be rotated between the lower abdomen, anterior (front) thighs, upper
arms, and upper hips (which are less common) to avoid injection site complications. The forearm and back of the
lower leg are not appropriate sites for subcutaneous injections.
, Q5: Long-Acting Insulin
A: Description: -Insulin glargine is a clear, colorless solution with a pH of 4.0. -Lowers blood glucose by stimulating
glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and fat, while inhibiting hepatic glucose production. Administration: -Administered
as a single subcutaneous injection at the same time each day. -Forms micro-precipitates that are absorbed slowly
over 24 hours. -Considered a basal insulin to maintain glycemic control between meals. Pharmacokinetics: -Onset:
1–2 hours -Peak: No peak -Duration: 24 hours Advantages: -Fewer daily injections. -Decreased risk of short-term
(e.g., hypoglycemia) and long-term complications (e.g., vascular disease, retinopathy). -Fewer emergency
department visits compared to NPH. -Can be administered without regard to meal timing as long as caloric intake is
consistent.
Q6: Glargine: Indications and Contraindications
A: Indications: -Type 1 Diabetes: Clients can switch from short- or intermediate-acting insulins to long- acting insulin
(glargine) for basal control, using rapid-acting insulin as needed. -Type 2 Diabetes: Often prescribed as a supplement
to oral antidiabetic medications to achieve and maintain glycemic control (HbA1C < 7%). -Pregnancy in Type 1 DM:
Widely researched for women using glargine before pregnancy, but requires close monitoring and dose adjustments
during pregnancy. -Gestational Diabetes: Glargine is not recommended due to a lack of quality research evidence for
safety in this population. Contraindications: -Hypoglycemia: Contraindicated for clients experiencing hypoglycemia.
-Allergy: Contraindicated in clients with a known allergy to insulin glargine. -Caution: ---During stress or infection (may
increase insulin requirements).In clients with renal or hepatic impairment (may decrease insulin requirements). ---In
clients taking pioglitazone or rosiglitazone (may increase fluid retention and worsen heart failure).
Q7: Indicate the onset of action, peak effect, and duration of action for glargine using the drop-down menus
to complete the table.
A: Onset: 1-2 hours Peak: None Duration: 24 hours
Q8: What is true about mixing insulin glargine?
A: Not compatible with other insulins
Q9: Compatible with intermediate-acting insulins Compatible with long-acting insulins Not compatible with
other insulins Compatible with rapid- and short-acting insulins
A: Long-acting insulins (e.g., glargine, detemir) should not be mixed with any medication or solution for administration.
Long-, short-, and intermediate-acting insulins are not compatible to mix with glargine.
Q10: What is the onset for insulin glargine?
A: 1–2 hours
Q11: 1-2 hours 18 hours None 24 hours
A: Long-acting insulin has an onset action of 1-2 hours, is released continuously, and does not have a peak of action.
Based on the time/action profile for long-acting insulin, glargine is most often administered once daily in the evening.
Other long-acting insulins, such as detemir, may be administered once or twice daily. The duration of insulin glargine
is 16–24 hours.
