Diabetes Basics
Type of diabetes when
the body is resistant
to its own insulin
Type 2 Diabetes
BG < __mg/dl
is considered hypoglycemic
70
Rapid-acting insulin
onset, peak, & duration times
15 minutes
1 hour
3 hours
“15 min feels like an hour during 3
RAPID responses”
Name a
rapid-acting insulin
L – Lispro (Humalog)
A – Aspart (Novolog)
G – Glulisine (Apidra)
LAG=LOG – HumaLOG & NovoLOG
Length of time to hold
insulin pen at injection site
10 seconds
The ABC’s to reduce
complications of diabetes
Control: A1C
Blood pressure
Cholesterol
Four factors that can
cause hyperglycemia
Illness – Infection – Stress –
Meds – Too much food - Not enough
insulin – Lack of exercise
Short-acting insulin
onset, peak, & duration times
30 minutes
2 hours
8 hours
“SHORT-staffed nurses went from 30
patients to(2) 8 patients”
Name a regular or
short-acting insulin
Novolin R or Humulin R
Regular = “R”
A healthy meal includes
__% non-starchy vegetables,
__% lean protein, and
__% grains & starchy foods
50 - 25 - 25
Two diagnosis criteria’s
for diabetes
FPG >= 126mg/dl (fasting plasma glucose)
A1C >= 6.5%
2h oral glucose tolerance test >= 200
(using 75g of glucose)
Five symptoms of
hypoglycemia
Shaky or dizzy – Blurry vision –
Feeling weak or tired – Sweaty – Pallor –
Headache – Hangry – Nausea –
Irritable – Rapid pulse – Anxiety –
Difficulty concentrating
Intermediate-acting insulin
onset, peak, & duration times
2 hours
8 hours
16 hours
“Nurses Play Hero to(2) eight
16 year olds”
Name an
intermediate-acting insulin
NPH (Novolin N or Humuln N)
Intermediate = “N”termediate
The four injection sites
Upper outer arms & thighs
Abdomen
Buttocks
Five complications
of diabetes
From injections
Diabetic nephropathy
Heart attack / stroke
Eye damage (retinopathy)
Peripheral neuropathy
Oral damage (gum disease)
Five symptoms of
hyperglycemia
Increased thirst – Blurry vision –
Frequent urination – Fatigue –
Head-ache – Dry skin –
Excessive hunger - Irritable
Long-acting insulin
onset, peak, & duration times
2 hours
NONE
24 hours
“The 2 LONG nursing shifts never
peaked but lasted 24 hours”
Name a
long-acting insulin
gLARGine (Lantus)
DETemir (Levemir)
It takes a LONG time to pay back large DEbT
Do these 3 steps right
away if BG is below 70
1 – Eat/drink 15g carbs
2 – Wait 15 minutes
3 – Recheck BG
If still < 70, repeat steps 1-3
If >= 70, eat a small meal or snack