Which insulin type is rapid-acting and used for mealtime coverage?

Which insulin type is rapid-acting and used for mealtime coverage?

• A. NPH insulin
• B. Insulin lispro
• C. Regular insulin
• D. Insulin glargine

Answer: (B)

Mealtime coverage needs insulin that acts quickly to match the rise in blood glucose after a meal. Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting analog designed to start working within minutes, peak around 1–2 hours, and finish in about 3–5 hours, so it aligns well with the post-meal glucose spike when given just before eating. That quick onset and short duration make it the best match for covering meals. NPH insulin is slower to act and lasts longer, making it more suitable for longer-term basal coverage rather than responding to a specific meal. Regular insulin is faster than NPH but still not as rapid as lispro, with onset around 30–60 minutes and a peak later in the day, so it isn’t as effective for exact mealtime needs. Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin that provides steady coverage over 24 hours and has no pronounced meal-related peak, so it isn’t used for mealtime coverage.

Mealtime coverage needs insulin that acts quickly to match the rise in blood glucose after a meal. Insulin lispro is a rapid-acting analog designed to start working within minutes, peak around 1–2 hours, and finish in about 3–5 hours, so it aligns well with the post-meal glucose spike when given just before eating. That quick onset and short duration make it the best match for covering meals.

NPH insulin is slower to act and lasts longer, making it more suitable for longer-term basal coverage rather than responding to a specific meal. Regular insulin is faster than NPH but still not as rapid as lispro, with onset around 30–60 minutes and a peak later in the day, so it isn’t as effective for exact mealtime needs. Insulin glargine is a long-acting basal insulin that provides steady coverage over 24 hours and has no pronounced meal-related peak, so it isn’t used for mealtime coverage.