Final answer:
Finding high insulin levels would be the most surprising in a patient with high cortisol levels, because cortisol functions to increase blood glucose, which opposes insulin's role in reducing blood sugar.
Step-by-step explanation:
During interning at a hospital, you find a patient with high cortisol levels. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid produced in response to stress, and it can raise blood glucose levels. High cortisol levels could be expected to occur with other stress-related hormones and conditions, such as high epinephrine levels, which are part of the body's "fight or flight" response, and potentially high blood pressure due to vasoconstriction. Moreover, cortisol can lead to an increase in aldosterone under certain conditions, which can cause the body to retain sodium and water, thereby increasing blood volume and pressure. Additionally, cortisol can affect the levels of ADH, a hormone that helps to retain water in the body and constrict blood vessels.
Given these considerations, finding high insulin levels would be the most surprising, as cortisol typically works to increase blood glucose levels, an outcome that is counteractive to insulin's function of lowering blood glucose levels.