Insulins: which one covers the meal, and which covers the day?
Meal-time insulins act fast and briefly; basal insulins act slowly and steadily.
Select any card for the reasoning, what to watch for and an exam tip.
Insulins
Key points
- Basal-bolus: a long- or intermediate-acting basal insulin plus short-acting insulin before meals — offered in type 1 diabetes.
- Never draw insulin out of a pen or cartridge with a syringe: pen strengths vary, and insulin syringes are marked only for standard-strength insulin.
- Insulins must be prescribed and dispensed by brand name — show the container and confirm it is the expected version.
- The duration of each insulin varies a lot between people, so it has to be assessed individually.
Key takeaway
Bolus for meals, basal for the background — and insulin is only ever measured with an insulin syringe or pen, never drawn out of a pen.