Insulin Calculations

Question 1

What is the insulin to carb ratio for rapid acting insulins?

Answer 1

Rule of 500

500/TDD
= number of g of carbs covered by 1 u of rapid insulin

Question 2

What is the insulin to carb ratio for regular insulin?

Answer 2

Rule of 450

=450/TDD

Question 3

How to find the correction factor for rapid acting insulin?

Answer 3

Rule of 1800

1800/TDD
= 1 u of rapid insulin will decrease BG by ____ amount

Question 4

How to find correction factor for regular insulin?

Answer 4

Rule of 1500
1500/TDD
= 1 u of regular insulin will decrease BG by ____

Question 5

How to calculate correction dose?

Answer 5

Current BG - target BG / correction factor

= # of units we need to add

Question 6

How to calculate TDD?

Answer 6

0.5units/kg/day

Use TBW

Question 7

How to split TDD into basal bolts dose?

Answer 7

Rapid/long acting: give 50% to each

NPH/regular: give 2/3 of dose to NPH and 1/3 of dose to regular insulin

Remember to split short acting and rapid acting amongst the meals