Which insulin type is classified as short-acting with an onset of 30-60 minutes and a duration up to 12 hours?

Which insulin type is classified as short-acting with an onset of 30-60 minutes and a duration up to 12 hours?

• A. Lispro
• B. Regular insulin
• C. NPH
• D. Lantus

Answer: (B)

Understanding insulin onset and duration helps you match the drug to meal timing and coverage. Short-acting insulin is used to cover a meal. Regular insulin fits this role with an onset of about 30 to 60 minutes and a duration of roughly 6 to 12 hours, making it suitable for pre-meal administration to control post-meal glucose rise. In contrast, lispro is rapid-acting and acts faster (about 15 minutes) but lasts only around 3 to 5 hours; NPH is intermediate-acting, starting in 1–2 hours and lasting about 12–18 hours; Lantus is long-acting, with a 1–2 hour onset and up to 24 hours of effect. Therefore, Regular insulin best matches the described profile.

Understanding insulin onset and duration helps you match the drug to meal timing and coverage. Short-acting insulin is used to cover a meal. Regular insulin fits this role with an onset of about 30 to 60 minutes and a duration of roughly 6 to 12 hours, making it suitable for pre-meal administration to control post-meal glucose rise.

In contrast, lispro is rapid-acting and acts faster (about 15 minutes) but lasts only around 3 to 5 hours; NPH is intermediate-acting, starting in 1–2 hours and lasting about 12–18 hours; Lantus is long-acting, with a 1–2 hour onset and up to 24 hours of effect. Therefore, Regular insulin best matches the described profile.