ATI Pharmacology Endocrine and Hematology Related

Review ATI Pharmacology Endocrine and Hematology related questions and content

A nurse is preparing to administer a client's daily dose of NPH insulin at 0730. The nurse should expect this type of insulin to peak within which of the following timeframes after administration?

  • A. 30 minutes to 3 hours.
  • B. 2 to 6 hours.
  • C. 4 to 5 hours.
  • D. 6 to 10 hours.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 6 to 10 hours. NPH insulin typically peaks around 6-10 hours after administration. This delayed peak is important to prevent hypoglycemia between meals. It is an intermediate-acting insulin, so it takes longer to reach its peak effect compared to short-acting insulins. Option A (30 minutes to 3 hours) is too short for NPH insulin to peak. Option B (2 to 6 hours) is closer but does not fully capture the peak timeframe. Option C (4 to 5 hours) is not accurate as NPH insulin peaks later. Therefore, option D is the most appropriate choice based on the pharmacokinetics of NPH insulin.