NU 578 Unit 4 Exam | Questions and
Answers | 2025 Update | 100% Correct
– USA
This comprehensive guide contains verified questions and
answers for the NU 578 Pharmacology Unit 4 Exam, based on
2025-2026 exam materials from the University of South Alabama.
All answers are verified and include detailed rationales for
effective exam preparation.
Section 1: Diabetes Mellitus Pharmacology
Insulin
Question 1: Insulin is used to treat which patient populations?
Correct Answer: Insulin is used to treat all patients with type 1
diabetes and many patients with type 2 diabetes.
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes requires exogenous insulin because
the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Many patients with type
2 diabetes eventually require insulin as beta-cell function declines
over time.
,Question 2: What is the structure of insulin?
Correct Answer: Insulin consists of two amino acid chains (an
acidic A chain and a basic B chain) linked by two disulfide
bridges.
Rationale: The disulfide bonds are critical for insulin's
three-dimensional structure and biological activity.
Question 3: Where is insulin synthesized?
Correct Answer: Insulin is synthesized in the pancreas by beta
cells within the islets of Langerhans.
Rationale: Beta cells produce, store, and secrete insulin in
response to elevated blood glucose levels.
Question 4: What triggers insulin release?
Correct Answer: Insulin is released by a rise in blood sugar (eating
a meal).
Rationale: The beta cells sense increased glucose levels and
respond by secreting stored insulin and synthesizing new insulin.
Question 5: What are the metabolic actions of insulin?
,Correct Answer: Insulin promotes the conversion of glucose into
glycogen, amino acids assembled into proteins, and fatty acids
into triglycerides.
Rationale: Insulin is an anabolic hormone that promotes energy
storage and synthesis of macromolecules.
Question 6: How does insulin deficiency promote hyperglycemia?
Correct Answer: Insulin deficiency promotes glycogen into
glucose (increased glycogenolysis), increased gluconeogenesis,
and reduced glucose utilization.
Rationale: Without insulin, the body breaks down glycogen stores
and produces new glucose while cells cannot take up glucose
from the blood effectively.
Insulin Preparations
Question 7: What is Insulin Glargine (Lantus) and when is it used?
Correct Answer: A long-acting insulin used for adults and children
with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Injected subcutaneously once daily
at bedtime or twice daily at the same time each day.
Rationale: Long-acting insulins provide basal coverage without a
pronounced peak, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.
, Question 8: Important safety considerations for Insulin Glargine?
Correct Answer: Watch for hypoglycemia. Do NOT give IV or mix
with other insulins.
Rationale: Glargine has a low pH and should not be mixed with
other insulins as it can cause precipitation and unpredictable
absorption.
Question 9: What is Insulin Aspart (Novolog) and its
characteristics?
Correct Answer: A rapid-acting insulin that is absorbed faster than
human insulin, with rapid onset (0.1-0.3 hours) and shorter
duration (3-5 hours).
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins are ideal for controlling
postprandial glucose excursions.
Question 10: What is the onset of rapid-acting insulin analogs
(e.g., lispro, aspart, glulisine)?
Correct Answer: 15-30 minutes.
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins should be given immediately
before meals or immediately after eating.
Question 11: What is the peak of regular insulin (short-acting)?
Answers | 2025 Update | 100% Correct
– USA
This comprehensive guide contains verified questions and
answers for the NU 578 Pharmacology Unit 4 Exam, based on
2025-2026 exam materials from the University of South Alabama.
All answers are verified and include detailed rationales for
effective exam preparation.
Section 1: Diabetes Mellitus Pharmacology
Insulin
Question 1: Insulin is used to treat which patient populations?
Correct Answer: Insulin is used to treat all patients with type 1
diabetes and many patients with type 2 diabetes.
Rationale: Type 1 diabetes requires exogenous insulin because
the pancreas produces little to no insulin. Many patients with type
2 diabetes eventually require insulin as beta-cell function declines
over time.
,Question 2: What is the structure of insulin?
Correct Answer: Insulin consists of two amino acid chains (an
acidic A chain and a basic B chain) linked by two disulfide
bridges.
Rationale: The disulfide bonds are critical for insulin's
three-dimensional structure and biological activity.
Question 3: Where is insulin synthesized?
Correct Answer: Insulin is synthesized in the pancreas by beta
cells within the islets of Langerhans.
Rationale: Beta cells produce, store, and secrete insulin in
response to elevated blood glucose levels.
Question 4: What triggers insulin release?
Correct Answer: Insulin is released by a rise in blood sugar (eating
a meal).
Rationale: The beta cells sense increased glucose levels and
respond by secreting stored insulin and synthesizing new insulin.
Question 5: What are the metabolic actions of insulin?
,Correct Answer: Insulin promotes the conversion of glucose into
glycogen, amino acids assembled into proteins, and fatty acids
into triglycerides.
Rationale: Insulin is an anabolic hormone that promotes energy
storage and synthesis of macromolecules.
Question 6: How does insulin deficiency promote hyperglycemia?
Correct Answer: Insulin deficiency promotes glycogen into
glucose (increased glycogenolysis), increased gluconeogenesis,
and reduced glucose utilization.
Rationale: Without insulin, the body breaks down glycogen stores
and produces new glucose while cells cannot take up glucose
from the blood effectively.
Insulin Preparations
Question 7: What is Insulin Glargine (Lantus) and when is it used?
Correct Answer: A long-acting insulin used for adults and children
with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Injected subcutaneously once daily
at bedtime or twice daily at the same time each day.
Rationale: Long-acting insulins provide basal coverage without a
pronounced peak, reducing the risk of hypoglycemia.
, Question 8: Important safety considerations for Insulin Glargine?
Correct Answer: Watch for hypoglycemia. Do NOT give IV or mix
with other insulins.
Rationale: Glargine has a low pH and should not be mixed with
other insulins as it can cause precipitation and unpredictable
absorption.
Question 9: What is Insulin Aspart (Novolog) and its
characteristics?
Correct Answer: A rapid-acting insulin that is absorbed faster than
human insulin, with rapid onset (0.1-0.3 hours) and shorter
duration (3-5 hours).
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins are ideal for controlling
postprandial glucose excursions.
Question 10: What is the onset of rapid-acting insulin analogs
(e.g., lispro, aspart, glulisine)?
Correct Answer: 15-30 minutes.
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins should be given immediately
before meals or immediately after eating.
Question 11: What is the peak of regular insulin (short-acting)?
