Final answer:
Diabetes insipidus is characterized by inadequate ADH levels leading to polyuria and polydipsia, potentially causing dehydration and electrolyte imbalances.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse taking care of a 12-year-old child with diabetes insipidus (DI) should understand that this disease is characterized by chronic underproduction of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or by a mutation in the ADH receptor. ADH plays a critical role in regulating water balance in the body by promoting the reabsorption of water within the kidneys.
Lack of sufficient ADH results in the body's inability to conserve water, leading to excessive water loss through urine (polyuria), excessive thirst (polydipsia), and potentially dehydration and electrolyte imbalances if not properly managed. In contrast to diabetes mellitus, which is characterized by high blood sugar levels and the presence of glucose in the urine, the urine in diabetes insipidus has a low osmolarity and lacks the presence of sugar.