How to remember the different insulins....

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

Okay, aside from the fact that every, single, solitary book I have gives a different set of onset, peak and duration of the different kinds of insulin....:angryfire

Is there a good way to remember these, like a mnemonic? I give mostly "R" and Lantus, and that's the two I know well and have the most "hands on" with. But I always have to stop and think with the others, I can't seem to get the insulins written into my brain.... I've got the "only R IV" etc., kinds of stuff, its the stupid durations that keep tripping me up

Here's what I've got....and I made these up to match what's in my textbook....your mileage my vary....

Odd Lispro...make sure you've got food ready to pass the "lisps" before you give lispro, and it's on the odds -- onset 15m, peak 1 hr, duration 3 hrs

Regular "doubles" -- onset is 1/2 hr to 1 hour, peak is 2-3 hours, duration is 4-6 hours (30 min is doubled to 1, 1 hr doubled to 2, 2 hr doubled to 4).

NPH is 4'd....onset is 2, peak is 6-8, duration is 12-16....(2x4 is 8, x2 is 16)

Lantus...lantus gets to drive all day -- onset is 2, peak is 16, duration is > 24

Somebody please tell me there's an easy way to this....

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I guess my school is slacking because we didn't have to learn that information. That doesn't mean it isn't going to be on the NCLEX, though. :grn:

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I have trouble with this too! Really hope someone has good answer!

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The even and odds rule: to remember the onset, peak, and duration of intermediate-acting insulin think evens---2, 12, and 24 hrs. To remember short acting insulin, thinks odds--- 1, 3 and 5 hrs. These times are not exact but they are a great memory booster when you need to think fast

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this is a good video on insulin

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Specializes in ER, ICU, Medsurg.

Nerdtonurse - I love the way you remember it. Thats a great way and I wish I had known that a few months ago. I struggled with that too. Definately going to save this thread for future reference for NCLEX study

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Specializes in ICU, Telemetry.

I had the final -- not the first question on insulin administration....

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Specializes in L & D, Med-Surge, Dialysis.

The only i remember insulin is:

SHORT ACTING: 1,2,8 meaning 1 represent ONSET, 2 represent PEAK and 3 represent DURATION.

INTERMEDIATE ACTING: 1,8,16 meaning 1 represent ONSET, 8 represent PEAK and 16 represent DURATION.

LONG- ACTING: 1, 16,36 meaning 1 represent ONSET, 16 represent PEAK and 36 represent DURATION.:up:

Never mix LANTUS with any insulin!!

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