Insulin Peak Times & Types: A Fun Mnemonic

Overview

• Focus: Mnemonic techniques to remember insulin types and their peak times
• Context: Part of a diabetic series for NCLEX review
• Additional Resources: Quiz link and playlist available for more videos

Categories of Insulin

• Rapid (fastest)
• Short (short-acting)
• Intermediate (middle duration)
• Long (longest duration)

Mnemonic for Categories: Ready Set Inject Love

• R for Rapid
• S for Short
• I for Intermediate
• L for Long

Insulin Types by Category

• Rapid-acting: Humalog, Novolog
• Short-acting: Regular (e.g., Novolin R, Humulin R)
• Intermediate-acting: NPH (e.g., Humulin N)
• Long-acting: Levemir, Lantus

Onset, Peak, and Duration Times

• Key Concept: Peak time is crucial as it indicates when patients are most at risk for hypoglycemia

Rapid-acting Insulin

• Onset: 15 minutes
• Peak: 1 hour
• Duration: 3 hours
• Mnemonic: 15 minutes feels like an hour during 3 rapid responses
  • 15 (onset), 1 (peak), 3 (duration)

Short-acting Insulin

• Onset: 30 minutes
• Peak: 2 hours
• Duration: 8 hours
• Mnemonic: Short-staffed nurses went from 30 patients to 8 patients
  • Short (type), 30 (onset), 2 (peak), 8 (duration)

Intermediate-acting Insulin

• Onset: 2 hours
• Peak: 8 hours
• Duration: 16 hours
• Mnemonic: Nurses Play Hero to 8 16-year-olds
  • NPH indicates intermediate type, 2 (onset), 8 (peak), 16 (duration)

Long-acting Insulin

• Onset: 2 hours
• Peak: None
• Duration: 24 hours
• Mnemonic: The two long nursing shifts never peaked but lasted 24 hours
  • Long (type), 2 (onset), None (peak), 24 (duration)

Tips for Learning

• Watch the explanation video multiple times
• Practice writing out the categories and mnemonics
• Use these notes and practice quizzes for better retention

Additional Notes

• Quiz: Test your knowledge after watching the video
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