Hi everyone, NCLEX is fast approaching for some of you, and if you're like me, I don't do well without mnemonics. Back in first semester of nursing school, I had the hardest time memorizing about the different insulin onsets, peaks, and duration. Well, I formulated this simple mnemonic. You can memorize them within 5-10 minutes and you're good to go. (You might need to use your imagination for some of them)
RAPID ACTING: 15 yr old wanted to grow up fast, 60-90 yr old grandpa misses his childhood days when he was 3-4 yrs. old. (Onset: 15 min. Peak: 60-90 min. Duration: 3-4 hrs.).
SHORT ACTING: You feel 1/2 shorter than 1 basketball player. If you can only grow 2 to 3 feet more! Oh, you won't feel so short because from 3 feet, you'll be 6 feet tall like that basketball player. (Onset: 1/2 to 1 hr. Peak: 2-3 hrs. Duration: 3-6 hrs.)
INTERMEDIATE ACTING: Waiter: There are tables in the middle, how many tables do you need? Customer: Two for four then (2-4, 4-10). Waiter: Okay, you'll be able to sit around 10:16. (Onset: 2-4 hrs, Peak:4-10hrs, Duration:10-16 hrs)
LONG ACTING: 2 climbers are better than 1. That mountain doesn't seem to have a peak. It might take a full day (24 hrs) to climb up. (Onset: 1-2 hrs. Peak: no pronounced peak Duration: 24 hr +)
Featured Replies
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later.
If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Hi everyone, NCLEX is fast approaching for some of you, and if you're like me, I don't do well without mnemonics. Back in first semester of nursing school, I had the hardest time memorizing about the different insulin onsets, peaks, and duration. Well, I formulated this simple mnemonic. You can memorize them within 5-10 minutes and you're good to go. (You might need to use your imagination for some of them)

RAPID ACTING: 15 yr old wanted to grow up fast, 60-90 yr old grandpa misses his childhood days when he was 3-4 yrs. old. (Onset: 15 min. Peak: 60-90 min. Duration: 3-4 hrs.).
SHORT ACTING: You feel 1/2 shorter than 1 basketball player. If you can only grow 2 to 3 feet more! Oh, you won't feel so short because from 3 feet, you'll be 6 feet tall like that basketball player. (Onset: 1/2 to 1 hr. Peak: 2-3 hrs. Duration: 3-6 hrs.)
INTERMEDIATE ACTING: Waiter: There are tables in the middle, how many tables do you need? Customer: Two for four then (2-4, 4-10). Waiter: Okay, you'll be able to sit around 10:16. (Onset: 2-4 hrs, Peak:4-10hrs, Duration:10-16 hrs)
LONG ACTING: 2 climbers are better than 1. That mountain doesn't seem to have a peak. It might take a full day (24 hrs) to climb up. (Onset: 1-2 hrs. Peak: no pronounced peak Duration: 24 hr +)