Endocrinology: insulin regimens: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

Try it

General Medicine · Endocrinology: insulin regimens

Sample item

Which statement about basal-bolus insulin therapy is correct?

AGlargine is given before each mealBRegular insulin is the only basal agentCA long-acting analogue like glargine provides basal cover while rapid-acting insulin is given before mealsDAspart is a long-acting insulin

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. A long-acting analogue like glargine provides basal cover while rapid-acting insulin is given before meals

Basal-bolus regimens mimic physiological insulin secretion, with glargine, detemir or degludec supplying basal needs and aspart, lispro or glulisine covering meals. Glargine has a relatively peakless profile. Rapid analogues are injected just before eating.

Option by option

A. Glargine is given before each meal
Glargine is a once-daily basal insulin.
B. Regular insulin is the only basal agent
Regular insulin is short-acting.
C. A long-acting analogue like glargine provides basal cover while rapid-acting insulin is given before meals (correct)
Correct. This describes basal-bolus therapy.
D. Aspart is a long-acting insulin
Aspart is rapid-acting.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, A long-acting analogue like glargine provides basal cover while rapid-acting insulin is given before meals. Basal-bolus regimens mimic physiological insulin secretion, with glargine, detemir or degludec supplying basal needs and aspart, lispro or glulisine covering meals.

Why is "Glargine is given before each meal" not the answer?

Glargine is a once-daily basal insulin.

Why is "Regular insulin is the only basal agent" not the answer?

Regular insulin is short-acting.

Why is "Aspart is a long-acting insulin" not the answer?

Aspart is rapid-acting.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: insulin regimens in General Medicine. Glargine has a relatively peakless profile. Rapid analogues are injected just before eating.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: insulin regimens?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.