Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 75%
Full-length
A 14-year-old boy has had diabetes for 7 years. He takes 30 U of NPH insulin and 10 U of regular insulin every morning at 7 AM. He eats breakfast at 7:30 AM and lunch at noon. What time should he expect the greatest risk for hypoglycemia?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
This time is incorrect because regular insulin would peak after the teenager has eaten breakfast. This time is incorrect because it is after lunch when the NPH peaks. Regular insulin peaks in 2-3 hours and has a duration of 4-6 hours. NPH insulin's onset is 4-6 hours and peaks in 8-16 hours. Blood sugar would peak after meals and be lowest before meals and during the night. This time is incorrect because it is before the NPH and after the regular insulin peak times.