The nurse is caring for a patient with a closed head injury. Which finding causes the nurse to suspect that the patient has developed diabetes insipidus (DI)?
a. Increased lethargy
b. Widening pulse pressure
c. Copious pale urine output
d. Increasing blood glucose levels
C
A large increase in urinary output of pale urine with a low specific gravity is the clue to the de-velopment of DI related to edema of the posterior pituitary. Antidiuretic hormone is released in inadequate amounts, resulting in polyuria, and the awake patient may complain of polydipsia (excessive thirst). IV vasopressin and fluid replacement are the preferred treatments. Lethargy and increased pulse pressure are not typical signs of DI. Increased serum glucose levels is a sign of diabetes mellitus, not DI.
You might also like to view...
A client with gout has been advised to lose weight. She informs the nurse that she plans to go on a "guaranteed rapid weight loss" plan that involves fasting and heavy exercise. What should be the nurse's response?
A) Encourage fasting but ask the client to avoid heavy exercise. B) Advise the client to avoid fasting but go for heavy exercise. C) Advise the client to combine fasting with moderate exercise. D) Caution the client about the plan.
A patient asks a nurse to explain pharmacogenetics. Which response by the nurse is best?
a. "It is the effect of pharmaceutical agents on a person's genes." b. "It uses genetic information to determine if particular drugs will work in a person." c. "It is the science of using a person's genes to help create new medications." d. "It was the project that mapped and sequenced human genes."
A child has been prescribed to take tetracycline hydrochloride. The nurse providing medication information to the mother would plan to emphasize which of the following most important instructions about giving this medication to the child?
1. Give the medication with milk. 2. Give the medication with ice cream. 3. Mix the medication in a Styrofoam cup. 4. Use a straw when giving the medication.
The nurse seeks to involve the adolescent father in the prenatal care of his partner. What is the reason for this strategy?
1. Improves the long-term outcome of the relationship 2. Increases the self-care behaviors of the pregnant teen 3. Avoids legal action by the adolescent father's family 4. Avoids conflict between the adolescent father and pregnant teen