QMA INSULIN ADMINISTRATION EXAM
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
QMA INDIANA
Question 1:
What is the correct route of administration for insulin?
A) Oral
B) Intravenous
C) Subcutaneous
D) Intramuscular
Answer: C) Subcutaneous
Rationale: Insulin is typically administered subcutaneously to allow for gradual absorption
into the bloodstream. While some insulins can be given intravenously in specific situations,
subcutaneous administration is the standard method for routine insulin therapy.
Question 2:
Which type of insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A) Regular insulin
B) NPH insulin
C) Rapid-acting insulin
D) Long-acting insulin
Answer: C) Rapid-acting insulin
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin lispro and insulin aspart, have the fastest
onset of action (approximately 10-15 minutes) and are designed to manage postprandial (after
meal) blood glucose levels effectively.
Question 3:
What is the recommended site for subcutaneous insulin injections?
A) Abdomen
B) Forearm
C) Thigh
D) Upper back
Answer: A) Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous insulin injections due to its
consistent absorption rate. Other acceptable sites include the thigh and upper arm, but the
abdomen generally provides better results.
,Question 4:
How should insulin be mixed if a patient is prescribed both NPH and regular insulin?
A) Regular insulin first, then NPH
B) NPH first, then regular insulin
C) They should never be mixed
D) Mix them together in a vial
Answer: A) Regular insulin first, then NPH
Rationale: When mixing insulins, the clear (regular) insulin should always be drawn into the
syringe first, followed by the cloudy (NPH) insulin to prevent contamination of the regular
insulin vial.
Question 5:
What is the recommended storage temperature for unopened vials of insulin?
A) Room temperature
B) Refrigerated
C) Frozen
D) Under direct sunlight
Answer: B) Refrigerated
Rationale: Unopened vials of insulin should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures
between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Once opened, many insulins can be stored at room
temperature for a limited time.
Question 6:
What should a nurse do if a patient exhibits signs of hypoglycemia after receiving
insulin?
A) Administer more insulin
B) Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrates
C) Call a physician immediately
D) Offer protein-rich snacks
Answer: B) Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: In the event of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the immediate action should be
to administer a source of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, juice, or candy, to
raise blood sugar levels quickly.
Question 7:
, How often should blood glucose levels be monitored for a patient on insulin therapy?
A) Once a week
B) Only when symptoms arise
C) At least before meals and at bedtime
D) Every hour
Answer: C) At least before meals and at bedtime
Rationale: Patients on insulin therapy should monitor their blood glucose levels at least
before meals and at bedtime to ensure effective glycemic control and to prevent
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a potential side effect of insulin administration?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypertension
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Anemia
Answer: C) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a common side effect of insulin
administration, especially if the insulin dose is too high, the patient skips meals, or they
engage in excessive physical activity.
Question 9:
What is the primary purpose of rotating insulin injection sites?
A) To improve absorption
B) To prevent skin infections
C) To minimize the risk of lipodystrophy
D) To allow for a more extensive range of motion
Answer: C) To minimize the risk of lipodystrophy
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, which is the development of
lumps or indentations in the skin due to repeated injections in the same area, and can affect
insulin absorption.
Question 10:
What should a patient do if they miss a dose of their insulin?
A) Skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose
B) Double the next dose to compensate
C) Administer the missed dose as soon as remembered, unless close to the next dose
D) Contact a healthcare provider immediately
QUESTIONS WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS
Course
QMA INDIANA
Question 1:
What is the correct route of administration for insulin?
A) Oral
B) Intravenous
C) Subcutaneous
D) Intramuscular
Answer: C) Subcutaneous
Rationale: Insulin is typically administered subcutaneously to allow for gradual absorption
into the bloodstream. While some insulins can be given intravenously in specific situations,
subcutaneous administration is the standard method for routine insulin therapy.
Question 2:
Which type of insulin has the fastest onset of action?
A) Regular insulin
B) NPH insulin
C) Rapid-acting insulin
D) Long-acting insulin
Answer: C) Rapid-acting insulin
Rationale: Rapid-acting insulins, such as insulin lispro and insulin aspart, have the fastest
onset of action (approximately 10-15 minutes) and are designed to manage postprandial (after
meal) blood glucose levels effectively.
Question 3:
What is the recommended site for subcutaneous insulin injections?
A) Abdomen
B) Forearm
C) Thigh
D) Upper back
Answer: A) Abdomen
Rationale: The abdomen is the preferred site for subcutaneous insulin injections due to its
consistent absorption rate. Other acceptable sites include the thigh and upper arm, but the
abdomen generally provides better results.
,Question 4:
How should insulin be mixed if a patient is prescribed both NPH and regular insulin?
A) Regular insulin first, then NPH
B) NPH first, then regular insulin
C) They should never be mixed
D) Mix them together in a vial
Answer: A) Regular insulin first, then NPH
Rationale: When mixing insulins, the clear (regular) insulin should always be drawn into the
syringe first, followed by the cloudy (NPH) insulin to prevent contamination of the regular
insulin vial.
Question 5:
What is the recommended storage temperature for unopened vials of insulin?
A) Room temperature
B) Refrigerated
C) Frozen
D) Under direct sunlight
Answer: B) Refrigerated
Rationale: Unopened vials of insulin should be stored in the refrigerator at temperatures
between 36°F and 46°F (2°C to 8°C). Once opened, many insulins can be stored at room
temperature for a limited time.
Question 6:
What should a nurse do if a patient exhibits signs of hypoglycemia after receiving
insulin?
A) Administer more insulin
B) Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrates
C) Call a physician immediately
D) Offer protein-rich snacks
Answer: B) Provide a source of fast-acting carbohydrates
Rationale: In the event of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), the immediate action should be
to administer a source of fast-acting carbohydrates, such as glucose tablets, juice, or candy, to
raise blood sugar levels quickly.
Question 7:
, How often should blood glucose levels be monitored for a patient on insulin therapy?
A) Once a week
B) Only when symptoms arise
C) At least before meals and at bedtime
D) Every hour
Answer: C) At least before meals and at bedtime
Rationale: Patients on insulin therapy should monitor their blood glucose levels at least
before meals and at bedtime to ensure effective glycemic control and to prevent
hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Question 8:
Which of the following is a potential side effect of insulin administration?
A) Hyperglycemia
B) Hypertension
C) Hypoglycemia
D) Anemia
Answer: C) Hypoglycemia
Rationale: Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a common side effect of insulin
administration, especially if the insulin dose is too high, the patient skips meals, or they
engage in excessive physical activity.
Question 9:
What is the primary purpose of rotating insulin injection sites?
A) To improve absorption
B) To prevent skin infections
C) To minimize the risk of lipodystrophy
D) To allow for a more extensive range of motion
Answer: C) To minimize the risk of lipodystrophy
Rationale: Rotating injection sites helps prevent lipodystrophy, which is the development of
lumps or indentations in the skin due to repeated injections in the same area, and can affect
insulin absorption.
Question 10:
What should a patient do if they miss a dose of their insulin?
A) Skip the missed dose and continue with the next scheduled dose
B) Double the next dose to compensate
C) Administer the missed dose as soon as remembered, unless close to the next dose
D) Contact a healthcare provider immediately
