Pathophysiology of Insulin Resistance in Metabolic Syndrome

A patient is undergoing evaluation for metabolic syndrome, a complex condition that increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. One of the primary features of this syndrome is insulin resistance, which leads to elevated levels of glucose in the bloodstream. This patient has an elevated waist circumference and dyslipidemia.

In relation to metabolic syndrome, when evaluating the pathophysiological changes associated with insulin resistance, the nurse notes that the pancreas will initially compensate for the decreased sensitivity to insulin by producing more insulin. Over time, this can lead to a significant change in pancreatic function. Fill in the blank: The process of the pancreas increasing insulin production in response to insulin resistance is known as ______.