Which action is recommended for morning basal insulin?

Which action is recommended for morning basal insulin?

• A. 1/2 dose of basal (slow acting)
• B. Hold basal entirely
• C. Increase basal dose by 50%
• D. Continue full basal dose

Answer: (A)

Basal insulin provides a steady, background level of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production between meals. When you’re morning fasting or not eating (such as before a procedure or if breakfast is skipped), the same full morning basal dose can push glucose too low because there’s less incoming dietary glucose to balance it. Reducing the morning basal to about half helps maintain a safe glucose level by still providing baseline insulin without tipping into hypoglycemia. Holding it entirely risks a rise in fasting glucose and can complicate glucose management later, while increasing or maintaining the full dose increases the chance of hypoglycemia with no oral intake to offset it. When eating plans resume, adjust back to the usual dose and continue monitoring glucose to guide any further changes.

Basal insulin provides a steady, background level of insulin to suppress hepatic glucose production between meals. When you’re morning fasting or not eating (such as before a procedure or if breakfast is skipped), the same full morning basal dose can push glucose too low because there’s less incoming dietary glucose to balance it. Reducing the morning basal to about half helps maintain a safe glucose level by still providing baseline insulin without tipping into hypoglycemia.

Holding it entirely risks a rise in fasting glucose and can complicate glucose management later, while increasing or maintaining the full dose increases the chance of hypoglycemia with no oral intake to offset it. When eating plans resume, adjust back to the usual dose and continue monitoring glucose to guide any further changes.