Drug Class/Basics
What is the trade name for insulin lispro?
HumaLog
fast-acting, man-made insulin used to treat high blood sugar in adults and children with diabetes. It works by mimicking natural mealtime insulin, starting action within 15 minutes, peaking in roughly 1 hour, and lasting 3–4 hours
Take with or after food to reduce GI discomfort.
Metformin
What is the action of DPP4 inhibitors?
decrease glucagon production and glycogen from converting to glucose
Fast acting insulin, give 15-10 minutes before eating.
lispro
common, non-cancerous accumulation of excess fat (lumps) under the skin, primarily caused by repeatedly injecting medication—usually insulin for diabetes—into the same location
lipohypertrophy-presents as firm, rubbery, and sometimes painless, thickened tissue. Treatment involves rotating injection sites and avoiding affected areas, which can take months to heal
What is the typical route when giving insulin?
SubQ injection
Lowers glucose production in the liver and increases insulin sensitivity.
Metformin
Stimulate the pancreas to release more insulin
sulfonyureas
Which two drugs can cause heart failure, fluid retention, fluid overload, and ischemia?
rosiglitazone (Actos), pioglitazone (Avandia)
Reduce glucose reabsorption in the kidneys, causing more sugar to be excreted in the urine.
SGLT2 inhibitors
SGLT2 inhibitors (e.g., Jardiance, Farxiga, Invokana) are oral medications for Type 2 diabetes that lower blood sugar by causing the kidneys to remove glucose through urine. They also reduce risks of heart failure and chronic kidney disease progression. Common side effects include urinary tract infections, genital infections, and weight loss
Glyburide is part of which oral diabetic agent class?
Sulfonylureas
Give 30 min before eals
sulfonylureas (glipizide, glimerpiride); matches insulin peaks to carbs
Which medication needs a working pancreas to stimulate insulin production?
sulfonylureas
glyburide/glucotrol
Take with first bite of food.
alpha-glucosidase (acarbose); inhibits card digestion
What is a post-prandial crash?
A post meal glucose crash, where the body wants to start producing more glucose
Common locations for subcutaneous injections.
fatty tissue between the skin and muscle, commonly the abdomen, back of the upper arm, and top of the thighs
Which non-insulin injectable agent is only used for Type 2?
Ozempic
Which drug class excretes glucose through the renal system to decrease blood glucose?
SGLT2 inhibitors
What type of insulin do you expect the doctor to order for treatment of DKA?*
a. IV Novolog
b. IV Levemir
c. IV NPH
d. IV Regular Insulin
d. IV Regular Insulin
What are symptoms of hypoglycemia?
Pale, shaky, headache, nausea, dizzy, irritable
Avoid bruises, scars, tender areas...
sub Q injections
Intermediate-acting insuling.
Intermediate-acting insulin (NPH); can mix with other insulins.
Which insulin has an onset of 1-4 hours, a peak of 4-8 hours, and a duration of 12-18 hours?
intermediate acting/humulin n
S/S hyperglycemia
increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and headache. It occurs when blood glucose levels are too high, often due to missed medication, illness, or diet. Severe symptoms indicating serious conditions like DKA include nausea, vomiting, confusion, and fruity-smelling breath.
What are 3 important education points for nurses to communicate to diabetic pts?
A. Monitoring glucose - time, levels, etc
B. Injection techniques
C. Diet