Certified Diabetes Educator Practice Exam

The choice of medication that stimulates the pancreas to rapidly release insulin in a glucose-dependent fashion is the megltinides. This class of medications works by binding to specific sites on the beta cells of the pancreas, which increases the secretion of insulin in response to food intake.

Meglitinides, such as repaglinide and nateglinide, have a quick onset and short duration of action, making them effective for managing postprandial blood glucose levels. They act primarily by facilitating insulin release when glucose levels are elevated, which helps to lower blood sugar while minimizing the risk of hypoglycemia when glucose is not present.

In contrast, biguanides, like metformin, primarily work by improving insulin sensitivity and reducing hepatic gluconeogenesis rather than directly stimulating insulin secretion. Thiazolidinediones also enhance insulin sensitivity but do not promote immediate insulin release from the pancreas. Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors work by prolonging the action of incretin hormones, which increases insulin secretion and decreases glucagon release, but this mechanism is not as rapid or glucose-dependent as that of the meglitinides.

Thus, the mechanism of action of meglitinides aligns perfectly with the question, highlighting their role in