What change in insulin therapy might be anticipated when a patient starts taking prednisone?

When a patient starts taking prednisone, an increased amount of daily Humulin NPH insulin is often anticipated due to the effect that corticosteroids like prednisone have on blood glucose levels. Prednisone can induce insulin resistance, which means that the body’s cells become less sensitive to insulin. As a result, the patient may experience elevated blood glucose levels, requiring a higher dose of insulin to achieve adequate glycemic control.

Patients taking prednisone are at risk for hyperglycemia, making it crucial to monitor their blood sugar levels closely. While chronic use of corticosteroids is associated with these changes, the therapeutic response often necessitates adjustments in insulin therapy to manage the increased glucose levels effectively. Thus, in this context, an increase in the dose of Humulin NPH insulin would be the appropriate response to mitigate the potential for hyperglycemia caused by the corticosteroid therapy.