A 19-year-old woman presents with diabetic ketoacidosis: glucose 540 mg/dL, pH 7.12, ketonuria. Intravenous insulin is ordered. Which preparation is appropriate for intravenous use?

• A Insulin glargine
• B NPH insulin
• C Insulin detemir
• D Regular human insulin ✓

Explanation

Regular human insulin is the only conventional preparation formulated as a clear solution without modifying proteins designed for subcutaneous depot formation, making it suitable for intravenous infusion, the standard of care in DKA. Glargine, detemir, and NPH are all engineered or formulated to form subcutaneous depots (precipitation or crystallization) and must never be given intravenously. Indian exam convention consistently tests regular insulin as the IV preparation of choice in DKA.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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