Injectable Diabetes Quiz

Pancreas and Hormones

• Alpha cells in the pancreas secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose levels.
• GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) stimulates beta cells to secrete more insulin, aiding in glucose regulation.

Insulin Therapy

• A common adverse effect of insulin therapy is hypoglycemia, characterized by dangerously low blood sugar levels.
• Rapid-acting insulin, such as Apidra® or Humalog®, has an onset time of 10-30 minutes.
• Insulin glargine is the insulin type with the longest duration of action.
• The function of insulin includes increasing glucose storage as glycogen in the liver.

Insulin Administration

• Insulin is typically administered subcutaneously; intramuscular administration is not standard practice.
• Repeated injections at the same site can cause lipohypertrophy, a thickening of the skin.
• NPH insulin is classified as intermediate-acting insulin, whereas the abdomen is the site with the most rapid insulin absorption.

Specific Insulin Preparations

• Regular insulin is preferred for continuous intravenous infusion during severe hyperglycemia.
• NPH insulin should be gently rolled between hands before administration.
• Tresiba® (insulin degludec) is a long-acting insulin with a duration of action up to 42 hours.
• Novolin 70/30 is a combination insulin product containing 70% NPH and 30% regular insulin.
• Afrezza® is an inhaled insulin product.

Diabetes Management

• Long-acting insulin is considered basal insulin therapy, essential for stabilizing blood glucose levels.
• Glucagon, released by the pancreas, raises blood glucose levels in response to hypoglycemia.
• GLP-1 agonists primarily increase insulin secretion, while also reducing hepatic glucose production.

Cardiovascular Benefits and Risks

• GLP-1 agonists provide cardiovascular benefits, including a decrease in blood pressure.
• Exenatide (Byetta®) is derived from the saliva of the gila monster lizard, making it unique among GLP-1 agonists.
• Semaglutide is notable for being available in both injectable and oral forms.
• A common side effect of GLP-1 agonists is weight loss.

Contraindications and Warnings

• Primary contraindication for GLP-1 agonist therapy is a history of pancreatitis, which poses serious health risks.
• GLP-1 agonists carry a boxed warning for the risk of thyroid cell tumors.
• Liraglutide has been associated with cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with established cardiovascular disease.

Pramlintide (Symlin®)

• Pramlintide's primary mechanism of action is to slow gastric emptying, which aids in regulating blood glucose levels.
• Severe hypoglycemia is a key safety concern associated with pramlintide therapy.

GLP-1 Agonists

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) acts as both a GLP-1 receptor agonist and a GIP receptor agonist.
• Semaglutide is the GLP-1 agonist associated with the greatest weight reduction.
• Dulaglutide has a once-weekly dosing schedule.

Insulin Types and Administration

• Insulin glargine is a long-acting insulin typically dosed once daily and cannot be mixed with other insulin products.
• Regular insulin has an onset time of 30-60 minutes when administered subcutaneously and can be used intravenously.
• Insulin aspart is the preferred insulin type for insulin pumps.
• NPH insulin appears milky and must be rolled before administration; its duration of action is 12-24 hours.

Insulin Effects and Benefits

• Insulin enhances triglyceride storage in adipose tissue.
• Continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) devices offer flexibility in scheduling and reduce the need for multiple injections.
• Combining insulin with GLP-1 agonists can lead to a reduced insulin dose.

Insulin for Diabetes Management

• Mealtime insulin alternatives in type 2 diabetes include GLP-1 agonists.
• The typical duration of action for rapid-acting insulin is 3-5 hours.
• A key adverse effect of insulin therapy is hypoglycemia.

Miscellaneous Medications

• Pramlintide (Symlin®) slows gastric emptying, which aids in glucose management.
• Inhaled insulin (Afrezza®) provides the advantage of avoiding injections but is contraindicated in patients with asthma.

Contraindications and Hormonal Effects

• Gastroparesis is a contraindication for GLP-1 agonists, while asthma is a contraindication for inhaled insulin.
• Glucagon is the hormone that raises blood glucose levels, while GLP-1 increases satiety and slows gastric emptying.

Insulin Therapy Indications

• Insulin therapy is indicated primarily for type 1 diabetes management.

Test your knowledge on injectable diabetes treatments with this quiz. Explore vital concepts such as pancreas cell functions and the role of GLP-1 in glucose regulation. Perfect for students and healthcare professionals alike!