A hospitalized client's serum glucose level is 160mg/dL. Which hormone is most likely being secreted?

In the context of a serum glucose level of 160 mg/dL, the hormone that is most likely being secreted is a glucocorticoid. Glucocorticoids, such as cortisol, are steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex, and they play a significant role in glucose metabolism.

When blood glucose levels are elevated, glucocorticoids are released in response to stress or low blood glucose levels. Their primary function includes gluconeogenesis, which is the synthesis of glucose from non-carbohydrate sources, and they also promote the increase of glucose in the bloodstream by opposing the effects of insulin. This means that when glucose levels are high, glucocorticoid secretion can increase further to ensure that glucose remains available for energy, especially in critical situations such as stress or illness.

While insulin would typically act to lower blood glucose levels, its secretion would be impaired or inadequate in a context where glucose is persistently high, and the body is under stress. Instead, glucagon's primary function is to raise blood glucose levels by stimulating glycogen breakdown, and thyroid hormones primarily regulate metabolism but do not directly respond to short-term blood glucose levels. Therefore, in a case where the glucose level is elevated, the secretion of gluc