Final answer:
A nurse should expect to find an increased hematocrit in a client with diabetes insipidus due to the excretion of large volumes of dilute urine, along with possible elevated heart rate, while low BUN levels and decreased heart rate are not typical findings.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing a client with diabetes insipidus should expect to find an increased hematocrit. This condition is characterized by the kidneys' inability to conserve water, leading to the production of large volumes of dilute urine. Since the client will have excessive urine output, known as polyuria, the concentration of red blood cells in the blood may increase due to the relative loss of fluid, thereby increasing the hematocrit. Unlike diabetes mellitus, which also causes polyuria, the urine in diabetes insipidus is not sweet because it does not contain excess glucose. Instead, the large urine volumes are clear and have a low specific gravity, indicating dilution. A low blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level is less likely as urea concentrations may actually rise due to dehydration.
Other possible findings in a client with diabetes insipidus include a presence of white blood cells in the urine, which may suggest infection or inflammation, but this is not directly related to the disease process of diabetes insipidus itself. The nurse would not expect to find a decreased heart rate; in fact, the heart rate may be elevated due to dehydration. Additionally, in a severe case of dehydration, the patient may have low blood pressure and exhibit confusion and thirst, as the body tries to compensate for the loss of fluid volume.