insulin Flashcards

1
Q

drivers who are treated with insulin should always carry the following when driving, even if they use a continuous glucose monitoring system

A

capillary blood glucose meter
test strips

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

drivers who use a continuous glucose monitoring system who experience hypo symptoms or have a CGM reading of 4mmol/litre or below should confirm their BGC with….

A

capillary blood reading

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

when do blood glucose levels need to be checked before and during driving?

A

no more than 2 hours before
every 2 hours while driving

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

when may more frequent self monitoring be required for insulin users who are driving (normally needs to be no more than 2 hours before, and every 2 hours whilst driving)

A

if for any reason there is a greater risk of hypo e.g. after physical activity or altered meal routine

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

what does BG conc need to be whilst driving, and what should you do it if is less than this

A

needs to be at least 5 mmol/litre while driving
if between 4-5 take a snack
if below 4, treat hypo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

what do all drivers taking insulin need to ensure is always available in the vehicle

A

fast acting carb
Glucose tablets, glucose drinks, full-sugar soft drinks or squashes, jellies (not diet), sweets

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

do not drive if….

A

BG 4 or below, or warning signs of hypo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

what to do if you are driving and BG levels drop to 4 below or there are warning signs of hypo

A

stop vehicle in safe place ASAP and turn off engine
remove keys from ignition and move from drivers seat
wait until 45 mins after BG has returned to at least 5 before continuing journey

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

how long do you need to wait to drive after BG levels have returned to at least 5 to drive after warning signs of hypo developing/BG dropping to 4 or below?

A

45 mins

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

who needs to inform DVLA of their condition and needs to monitor BG levels before and during driving

A
  • insulin
  • may be necessary for some other oral anti diabetic drugs that hold risk of hypo e.g. meglitinides, SU
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

if the patient has lost hypoglycaemia awareness, but they are using CGM system and have capillary blood glucose monitor and test strips, are they allowed to drive

A

NO - cannot drive if hypoglycaemia awareness is lost! must inform DVLA. can resume if medical report confirmed awareness regained

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

group 1 drivers who have had more than one episode of severe hypoglycaemia while awake in the last 12 months

A

Must not drive and must notify DVLA

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Group 2 drivers after every episode of severe hypoglycaemia in the last 12 months

A

Must not drive and must notify DVLA following all episodes of severe hypoglycaemia.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

hypoglycaemia unawareness for group 2 drivers - DVLA guidance

A

Must not drive and must notify DVLA
The licence will be refused or revoked

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

will a group 1 drive have their licensed revokes if they have hypoglycaemia unawareness

A

no but they must not drive and must notify DVLA. driving may resume after clinical report by GP or consultant diabetes specialist confirms it has been regained

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

will a group 2 driver have their licensed revoked if they have hypoglycaemia unawareness

A

yes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

DVLA advice for group 1 drivers who have temporary insulin treatment – including gestational diabetes or post-myocardial infarction

A

can drive and don’t need to notify DVLA as long as under medical supervision, and not advised by clinical as at risk of diabsliqng hypoglycaemia

  • may drive but have to notify DVLA if disabling hypo occurs, or if treatment continues for >3 moths, or in gestation diabetes if treatment continues for 3 months after delivery
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

a patient is on insulin therapy for gestational diabetes. can she still drive and does she need to inform DVLA

A

can drive. doesn’t need to notify DVLA as long as she is under medical supervision and is not at risk of disabling hypoglycaemia.

can drive but does need to notify DVLA if disabling hypo occurs, or if treatment continues for 3 months after delivery

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

what is severe hypoglycaemia?

A

episode of hypo that requires assistance of another person

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

a maximum of …… should pass between pre-diving glucose test and first glucose test performed after driving started

A

2 hours

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Natural profile of insulin secretion in the body:

A

Basal insulin (low and steady secretion of background insulin that controls glucose continuously released from liver
Meal time bolus insulin (secreted in response to glucose absorbed from food and drink)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

3 types of insulin available in UK

A

Human insulin
Human insulin analogues
Animal insulin

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Human insulin and insulin analogues are ….. immunogenic than animal insulins

A

less

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What makes human insulin analogues different to human insulin?

A

Both produced by recombinant DNA tech
Both have same amino acid sequence as endogenous insulin
Analogues: modified to produce desired kinetic characteristics e.g. extended duration of action or faster absorption and onset of action

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

why can’t insulin be given PO

A

Inactivated by GI enzymes - must be given by injection, SC ideal in most circumstances

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

where does insulin need to be injected

A

Inject into a part of the body with plenty of SC fat
Abdomen - fastest absorption rate
Outer thighs, buttocks - slower absorption compared to abdomen or inner thighs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

what body part has the fastest absorption rate when injecting insulin

A

Abdomen

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

is absorption at limb site injected the same

A

no.
absorption from limb site can vary (by as much as 20-40%) day to day, esp in children

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

what factors can affect rate of insulin absorption after injection

A

Local tissue reactions, changes in insulin sensitivity, injection site, blood flow, depth of injection and the amount of insulin injected

30
Q

how can exercise increase insulin absorption

A

Increased blood flow around injection site due to exercise can also increase insulin absorption

31
Q

what is lipohypertrophy

A

lump of fatty tissue under your skin caused by repeated injections in the same place

32
Q

what to advice pt regarding lipohypertrophy

A

May occur due to repeated injection into the same small area
Can cause erratic absorption of insulin
Can contribute to poor glycaemic control
Advice pt not to use affected areas for further injection until skin has recovered
Can be minimised by using diff injection sites in rotation

33
Q

check infection sites for the following before administration

A

Signs of infection
Swelling
Bruising
Lipohypertrophy

34
Q

Insulin preparations can be broadly categorised into 3 groups based on their time-action profiles

A

SA insulin, including soluble and RA acting
Intermediate acting insulins
LA insulins

35
Q

short acting insulin - characteristics

A

Short duration
Relatively rapid onset of action, to replicate insulin normally produced in response to glucose absorbed from a meal

36
Q

short acting insulin’s are available as….

A

soluble insulin (human, borvine or porcine) and RA insulin analogues (GAL: glulisine, aspart, lispro)

37
Q

remember rapid acting insulins as rapid LAG

A

lispro
aspart
glulisine

38
Q

soluble insulin is usually given …. but some preps can be given….

A

SC but some preps given IV and IM

39
Q

soluble insulin is usually injected ….. mins before meals depending on prep used

A

15-30 mins

40
Q

characteristics of soluble insulin when injected SC

A
  • rapid onset of action (30-60mins)
  • peak action between 1-4 hours
  • duration of action up to 9 hours
41
Q

characteristics of soluble insulin when injected IV

A
  • short half life of only a few mins
  • onset of action is instantenous
  • most appropriate form of insulin for use in emergencies e.g. DKA and peri-operatively
42
Q

which insulin is most appropriate for use in diabetic emergencies e.g. DKA and peri operatively and why

A

soluble insulin injected IV as it has instant onset of action

43
Q

RA insulin (Lispro, aspart, glulisine) is usually injected …

A

SC

44
Q

RA insulin (Lispro, aspart, glulisine) characteristics compared to soluble insulin

A
  • faster onset of action (within 15 mins) and shorter duration of action (2-5hours) than soluble insulin
  • soluble acts within 30-60 mins and peaks at 1-4 hours and acts for up to 9 hours
45
Q

if you are using RA insulin (lispro, aspart, glulisine) as part of maintenance regimen, when should you inject

A

ideally immediately before meals
routine use of post meal injections should be avoided as this is associated with poorer glucose control, increased risk of high postprandial glucose conc and subsequent hypo

46
Q

brands of RA insulin (lispro, aspart, glulisine)

A

lispro: Humalog kwikpen, lyumjev
aspart: fiasp, novorapid
glulisine: apidra

47
Q

what is intermediate acting insulin called

A

insulin isophane

48
Q

brands of insulin isophane

A

(humulin I, hypurin porcine, insulatard)

49
Q

characteristics of intermediate acting insulin

A

Have intermediate duration of action, designed to mimic effect of endogenous basal insulin
When given SC, onset of action ~1-2 hours, maximal effect at 3-13 hours and duration of action of 11-24 hours

50
Q

what is isophane insulin

A
  • suspension of insulin with protamine
  • intermediate acting
51
Q

how can isophane insulin be given as a regimen

A
  • intermediate duration of action
  • can be given as one or more daily injections, along separate meal time SA insulin injections
  • can also be mixed with a SA (soluble or RA) insulin in the same syringe
  • this can be mixed by the pt or you can get pre mixed biphasic insulin
52
Q

give examples of pre mixed biphasic insulin

A

biphasic isophane insulin, biphasic insulin aspart, biphasic insulin lispro

53
Q

do all biphasic insulin pre mixed preparations contain the same % of SA insulin

A

no it varies form 15-50%

54
Q

when to administer pre mixed biphasic insulin preparations

A

SC immediately before meals

55
Q

what are the 5 long acting insulins

A

protamine zinc insulin
insulin zinc suspension
insulin detemir
insulin glargine
insulin degludec

56
Q

how to remember LA insulins: DDG

A

degludec
detemir
glargine

57
Q

how to long acting insulin’s work and how long is their duration of action

A

Like intermediate acting insulins, the LA insulins mimic endogenous basal insulin secretion but their duration of action may last up to 36 hours
They achieve steady state level after 2-4 days to produce a constant level of insulin

58
Q

how often are doses of the LA insulins given

A

Insulin glargine and insulin degludec are given OD
Insulin detemir is given OD or BD according to individual requirements

59
Q

MHRA insulins: risk of severe harm and death due to withdrawing insulin from pen devices

A

Insulin should not be extracted from insulin pen devices. The strength of insulin in pen devices can vary by multiples of 100 units/mL. If insulin extracted from a pen or cartridge is of a higher strength, and that is not considered in determining the volume required, it can lead to a significant and potentially fatal overdose.

60
Q

What is the insulin NHS Never Event - MHRA

A

Overdose of insulin due to abbreviations or incorrect device. The words ‘unit’ or ‘international units’ should not be abbreviated.

Specific insulin administration devices should always be used to measure insulin i.e. insulin syringes and pens.

Insulin should not be withdrawn from an insulin pen or pen refill and then administered using a syringe and needle.

61
Q

MHRA - all types of insulin - risk of cutaneous amyloidosis at injection site

A
  • injection of all types can lead to deposits of amyloid protein under the skin at the injection site
  • this interferes with insulin absorption and thus can affect glycaemic control
  • consider cutaneous amyloidosis as a differential diagnosis to lipodystrophy when pt present with SC lymph at injection sites
  • ensure pt rotate injection sites
  • ensure pt know that injecting into these lumpy areas can reduce effectiveness of insulin
62
Q

Patients currently injecting into ‘lumpy’ (amyloidosis or lipodystrophy) areas should contact their GP before chaining injection site due to..

A

risk of hypo
BGC should be closely monitored after changing injection site and dose adjustment of insulin or other antidiabetics may be needed

63
Q

which abx has a severe interaction with insulin because it has been reported to cause hypo when given with insulin, and therefore BG must be monitored?

A

clarithromycin

64
Q

use of insulin during pregnancy

A

insulin requirements may alter and doses should be assessed frequently by an experienced diabetes physician.
dose of insulin generally needs to be increased in the second and third trimesters

65
Q

in which trimesters of pregnancy does the dose of insulin generally need increasing

A

2 and 3

66
Q

use of insulin in breastfeeding pt

A

insulin requirements may alter and doses should be assessed frequently by an experienced diabetes physician

67
Q

which acting injectable insulin can be given by continuous SC infusion using portable infusion pump?

A

short acting.

68
Q

ideal storage temperature for insulin that is not in use

A

2-6 degrees

69
Q

storage for insulin that has been opened and is in use

A

room temperature

70
Q

can you store insulin in freezer

A

never

71
Q

a patient comes in and asks if the insulin they have is safe to use because it has been kept out of the fridge for 28 days.

A

throw away insulin if it has been kept out of fridge for 28 days or more