Which insulin type must be injected prior to meals to avoid hypoglycemia?

The correct answer indicates that intermediate-acting insulin must be injected prior to meals to avoid hypoglycemia, which is not accurate. Intermediate-acting insulin is typically used to provide a baseline level of insulin throughout the day and is not specifically designed for immediate meal coverage.

Rapid-acting insulin is the type that should be injected right before meals. It has a quick onset, usually taking effect within 15 minutes and peaking around 1-2 hours after administration. This rapid effect is crucial in managing postprandial (after meal) blood sugar spikes. Therefore, administering rapid-acting insulin before meals helps to align insulin action with carbohydrate intake, reducing the risk of post-meal hyperglycemia and controlling blood sugar effectively.

Short-acting insulin takes a little longer to act compared to rapid-acting, making it also an option for pre-meal administration, although it is less commonly used in modern diabetes management due to the availability of faster-acting alternatives. Long-acting insulin is designed to provide a steady level of insulin over an extended period and typically does not require synchronization with meal times, hence it is not used to address immediate pre-meal needs.

In summary, the emphasis on which type of insulin needs to be injected prior to meals