What is long-acting insulin used for?

What is long-acting insulin used for?

• A. Raises HDL cholesterol.
• B. Provides basal insulin coverage for ~24 hours.
• C. Provides rapid postprandial glucose reduction.
• D. Provides basal insulin coverage for >42 hours.

Answer: (D)

Long-acting insulin is used to provide basal insulin—a steady background level that keeps blood sugar stable between meals and overnight, helping to suppress liver glucose production. This is distinct from rapid-acting insulin, which tackles glucose rises after eating. Durations vary by formulation. While many long-acting insulins aim for about 24-hour coverage, ultra-long-acting options can last longer, with effects lasting beyond 42 hours. That makes the statement about providing basal coverage for more than 42 hours accurate for these products. The other ideas don’t fit: raising HDL isn’t an effect of insulin, and rapid postprandial glucose reduction is the role of rapid-acting insulin, not the long-acting kind.

Long-acting insulin is used to provide basal insulin—a steady background level that keeps blood sugar stable between meals and overnight, helping to suppress liver glucose production. This is distinct from rapid-acting insulin, which tackles glucose rises after eating.

Durations vary by formulation. While many long-acting insulins aim for about 24-hour coverage, ultra-long-acting options can last longer, with effects lasting beyond 42 hours. That makes the statement about providing basal coverage for more than 42 hours accurate for these products.

The other ideas don’t fit: raising HDL isn’t an effect of insulin, and rapid postprandial glucose reduction is the role of rapid-acting insulin, not the long-acting kind.