What is the likely therapeutic requirement for Betty due to her infection?

Infection can lead to increased production of stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which can raise blood glucose levels due to enhanced gluconeogenesis and decreased insulin sensitivity. For someone like Betty, who may already be managing diabetes, the stress from an infection typically necessitates an adjustment in insulin therapy.

Increasing the daily insulin dosage helps to counteract the effects of these elevated glucose levels, ensuring better glycemic control during the period of illness. This adjustment is crucial because if insulin requirements are not met, it can lead to hyperglycemia, potentially worsening her overall condition and complicating recovery from the infection.

In this context, other options may not effectively address the underlying problem posed by her infection. Maintaining a high-calorie intake, for example, could further exacerbate blood glucose levels, which is not advisable for someone managing diabetes. Similarly, a decrease in insulin dosage or switching to a different formulation like insulin aspart might not adequately manage her higher insulin needs during the stress of illness.