Final answer:
Metformin needs to be withheld before and after cardiac catheterization, not insulin. Insulin injections decrease blood glucose levels after meals and an insulin tolerance test determines insulin responsiveness. Prophylactic antibiotics and preparation for surgery are also essential.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication that would need to be withheld for 24 hours before a cardiac catheterization procedure and for 48 hours after is metformin, not regular insulin. Metformin is an oral diabetes medication that can cause a rare but serious condition called lactic acidosis, especially if you have kidney problems or are undergoing procedures where a dye is injected, such as a cardiac catheterization. Regular insulin, which helps to manage blood glucose levels, may still be needed to control blood sugar levels in a patient with type 2 diabetes; however, adjustments to dosing may be necessary around the time of the procedure. The management of diabetes medications, including insulin, must be closely monitored by a healthcare professional in the context of procedures like cardiac catheterization to avoid episodes of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia.
Insulin injections, as mentioned in point (d), decrease blood glucose levels after consuming a large or high-glucose meal by facilitating the transport and storage of glucose into the body's cells. An insulin tolerance test is used to assess how a person with diabetes responds to insulin, determining if the condition is insulin-dependent (IDDM) or not.
For patients undergoing cardiac procedures, it is vital they also receive all other necessary precautions as pointed out, such as prophylactic antibiotics 60 minutes before incision if indicated and proper preparation for surgery including availability of essential imaging results for the correct patient.