Insulin Initiation Flashcards
When should insulin therapy be initiated in patients with type 2 diabetes?
When A1C remains above target despite maximized oral therapy or injectable non-insulin therapies.
What is the starting dose of basal insulin in adults with type 2 diabetes?
Start with 10 units daily or 0.1-0.2 units/kg/day.
How often should basal insulin doses be titrated?
Adjust 2 units every 3 days to reach a fasting blood glucose (FBG) of 80-130 mg/dL.
What is the maximum recommended dose of basal insulin before adding prandial insulin?
0.5 units/kg/day.
What are the different types of insulin formulations used in type 2 diabetes management?
Basal insulin (long-acting, intermediate-acting), prandial insulin (rapid-acting), and mixed insulin formulations.
What are examples of basal insulins used in type 2 diabetes?
Glargine (Lantus®), Detemir (Levemir®), Degludec (Tresiba®), and NPH (Humulin N®).
What are examples of rapid-acting insulins used for prandial dosing?
Aspart (Novolog®), Lispro (Humalog®), and Glulisine (Apidra®).
What is the role of fixed-ratio combination (FRC) therapies in insulin management?
FRCs combine basal insulin with GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as Xultophy® and Soliqua®.
What are important factors to consider when administering insulin via pen or syringe?
Priming the pen, holding the pen for 5 seconds after injection, and rotating injection sites to prevent lipodystrophy.
Why should patients rotate insulin injection sites?
To avoid lipodystrophy and ensure consistent insulin absorption.
What is the ‘Rule of 5 Mississippis’ when injecting insulin?
Hold the pen for 5 seconds after injection to ensure full dose delivery.
When should prandial insulin be initiated?
When A1C remains above target with basal insulin or fasting glucose is on target but postprandial glucose is high.
What is the initial prandial insulin dose?
4 units before the largest meal or 10% of basal insulin dose.
How is prandial insulin titrated?
Increase by 1-2 units or 10-15% of the dose twice weekly based on SMBG.
What insulin therapy was initiated for Jane, a type 2 diabetes patient with A1C >9%?
Insulin glargine (Basaglar®) 10 units once daily, adjusted by 2 units every 3 days.
How was Jane’s prandial insulin introduced?
Lispro 4 units before supper, with a 2-unit reduction in her basal insulin dose.
How often should Jane follow up after starting insulin?
Follow up weekly for dose adjustments and every 3 months for A1C monitoring.
What is the first step in managing hypoglycemia in patients on insulin?
Identify the cause, such as missed meals, dosing errors, or excessive exercise.
What is the Rule of 15 for treating hypoglycemia?
Consume 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate, check glucose after 15 minutes, and repeat if needed.
What are some carbohydrate options for treating hypoglycemia?
Glucose tablets, fruit juice, regular soda, or hard candies.
How should insulin be adjusted if hypoglycemia occurs without a clear cause?
Reduce the insulin dose by 10-20%.
When should insulin doses be adjusted more frequently?
When patients are self-titrating or experiencing significant glucose fluctuations.