Question

A patient with recent COPD and discharged from the hospital developed steroid-induced DM 5 years ago. Recently, the patient was diagnosed with Charcot foot from DM. The patient's metformin dosage was increased, but the patient will need to take insulin for 7 more days to get blood sugar under control. What is the reason for increasing the patient's metformin dosage?

1) To control the patient's COPD symptoms
2) To prevent further complications from Charcot foot
3) To manage the patient's steroid-induced DM
4) To reduce the need for insulin

Answer 1

The patient's metformin dosage was increased to better manage their steroid-induced DM, improving blood sugar control and minimizing dependency on insulin.

Step-by-step explanation:

The reason for increasing the patient's metformin dosage is to manage the patient's steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (DM). Metformin is a medication commonly prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar control and reducing insulin resistance. In this scenario, the patient developed steroid-induced DM which is a form of diabetes that occurs due to prolonged use of corticosteroids. As corticosteroids are known to raise blood sugar levels, managing the raised sugar levels with metformin is a sensible approach to avoid further complications. While the patient is on a temporary insulin regimen to get blood glucose levels under quick control, metformin can provide longer-term management of their diabetes.