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NCLEX insulin questions usually test peak timing, hypoglycemia risk, mixing rules, and what to do when the patient is NPO.
Study aid - not medical advice. Not a clinical decision tool. For NCLEX pharmacology review only.
1. Check blood glucose before insulin administration.
2. Confirm insulin type, dose, route, and timing.
3. Know the peak because peak time is the highest hypoglycemia risk window.
4. Follow institutional hypoglycemia protocol for BG <70 mg/dL.
When NPO, mealtime insulin is commonly held per provider order because there is no meal coverage need. Basal/long-acting insulin is usually continued as ordered, often at a reduced perioperative dose, especially for Type 1 diabetes to reduce DKA risk.
Call for severe hypoglycemia, persistent hyperglycemia, DKA signs, or unclear insulin orders.
Blood glucose: NCLEX often uses 80-130 mg/dL pre-meal for ambulatory/outpatient management. ADA inpatient targets may differ, commonly 100-180 mg/dL.
Watch HbA1c, potassium, ketones when indicated, and renal function because clearance and hypoglycemia risk can change.