Which laboratory finding would indicate a potential problem in a patient receiving glucocorticoid therapy?

Elevated blood glucose levels in a patient receiving glucocorticoid therapy is an important laboratory finding that indicates a potential problem. Glucocorticoids, such as prednisone or hydrocortisone, are known to induce insulin resistance and increase hepatic gluconeogenesis, which can lead to hyperglycemia. This effect occurs particularly with extended use or at higher doses of glucocorticoids, making monitoring of blood glucose levels crucial to manage and prevent complications such as steroid-induced diabetes.

In contrast, a normal white blood cell count might indicate that there is no active infection, while increased sodium levels and decreased potassium levels are also side effects of glucocorticoid therapy but do not directly reflect the same extent of metabolic disturbance as elevated blood glucose. Therefore, elevated blood glucose levels are particularly significant in the context of glucocorticoid therapy, signaling the need for further evaluation and possible intervention for managing hyperglycemia.