Insulin Peak Times & Types: A Fun Mnemonic

Jul 21, 2024

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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