Canadian Practical Nurse Registration Examination (CPNRE) Practice Exam

Oral medication is not considered insulin because insulin is a hormone that is specifically produced and administered to regulate blood sugar levels in individuals with diabetes. It is traditionally delivered via injection because it is a protein that would be broken down by the digestive system if taken orally, rendering it ineffective.

In contrast, oral medications for diabetes, such as metformin or sulfonylureas, work through different mechanisms to help manage blood glucose levels but do not replace or mimic insulin's function. This distinction is essential for understanding diabetes management, as the route of administration and the type of medication directly influence their efficacy in controlling blood sugar levels.

While there are oral medications that can be taken in conjunction with insulin therapy, these do not alter the classification of insulin itself, reinforcing that insulin remains distinctly a non-oral treatment.