A newly diagnosed diabetic learns about regular insulin. When is the greatest risk for hypoglycemia after the 8:00 a.m. dose?

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Multiple Choice

A newly diagnosed diabetic learns about regular insulin. When is the greatest risk for hypoglycemia after the 8:00 a.m. dose?

Regular insulin has a clear action profile: it begins working about 30 minutes after injection, peaks around 2 to 4 hours after dosing, and lasts roughly 6 to 8 hours. After an 8:00 a.m. dose, the peak effect occurs roughly between 10:00 a.m. and noon. The risk of hypoglycemia is highest during this peak when insulin’s glucose-lowering effect is strongest. So the time closest to the peak—around 11:00 a.m.—is when hypoglycemia risk is greatest. The earlier time is before the peak, and the later times are after the peak when insulin activity is waning, so the risk is lower then.

Regular insulin has a clear action profile: it begins working about 30 minutes after injection, peaks around 2 to 4 hours after dosing, and lasts roughly 6 to 8 hours. After an 8:00 a.m. dose, the peak effect occurs roughly between 10:00 a.m. and noon. The risk of hypoglycemia is highest during this peak when insulin’s glucose-lowering effect is strongest. So the time closest to the peak—around 11:00 a.m.—is when hypoglycemia risk is greatest. The earlier time is before the peak, and the later times are after the peak when insulin activity is waning, so the risk is lower then.

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