Following the administration of prednisone, what change might a nurse anticipate for a patient with type 2 diabetes?

Prednisone is a corticosteroid that can influence blood glucose levels. For a patient with type 2 diabetes, the administration of prednisone may lead to increased insulin resistance and elevated blood sugar levels. Therefore, an increase in the insulin dose may be necessary to manage the patient's elevated glucose levels effectively.

Corticosteroids like prednisone can stimulate gluconeogenesis in the liver and decrease the uptake of glucose by peripheral tissues, leading to hyperglycemia. This effect is particularly significant in individuals with diabetes, who may already have difficulties managing their blood sugar levels. Hence, adjusting the insulin regimen is a crucial part of the nursing care plan for patients with diabetes receiving prednisone.

Monitoring for hypotension, adjusting the prednisone dose upwards, or simply tracking intake and output do not address the specific metabolic changes induced by corticosteroids in diabetic patients and would not be the immediate concerns associated with prednisone administration in this context.