Question

A nurse is caring for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI). Which of the following should the nurse anticipate? (Select all that apply.)

A.) Hemoconcentration
B.) Dehydration
C.) Hyponatremia
D.) Concentrated urine

Answer 1

A nurse should anticipate hemoconcentration and dehydration in a client with diabetes insipidus; hyponatremia is less likely, and concentrated urine is not a characteristic of DI, which is caused by chronic underproduction of ADH.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI) should anticipate the following:

• Hemoconcentration: DI leads to excessive urination, which can result in a lower plasma volume and consequently higher concentration of blood cells.
• Dehydration: The condition causes increased thirst and urination, often leading to dehydration if the fluid intake doesn't compensate for the urine output.
• Hyponatremia: This is less likely to occur in DI, as the condition typically results in an excess loss of water rather than sodium. Instead, hypernatremia might occur due to the dilute and large volume of urine that is expelled.
• Concentrated urine: DI is characterized by the excretion of a large amount of dilute urine, not concentrated urine.

Diabetes insipidus is caused by chronic underproduction of ADH or a mutation in the ADH receptor, leading to the kidneys not retaining water and an increase in urine output. This contrast with diabetes mellitus, which involves high blood sugar levels and can also cause excessive urination but due to osmotic diuresis.