Question

The nurse caring for a client who underwent intracranial surgery is suspected of having diabetes insipidus. Which finding noted by the nurse is consistent with this complication of surgery?

a/ Complaints of excessive thirst
b. Urine specific gravity of 1.030
c. Urine output of 10 to 15 mL/hour
d. Systolic blood pressures running consistently over 150 mm Hg

Answer 1

The nurse would find 'Complaints of excessive thirst' consistent with diabetes insipidus, a condition characterized by increased urine output and increased thirst. Urine specific gravity would be low (not 1.030), and the expected urine output would be much higher than 10 to 15 mL/hour. The Correct Answer is Option. A.

Step-by-step explanation:

Among the presented options, the finding that is consistent with diabetes insipidus following intracranial surgery is 'Complaints of excessive thirst'.

Diabetes insipidus is a condition characterized by polyuria (increased urine output) and polydipsia (increased thirst) because of either chronic underproduction of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or a mutation in the ADH receptor that leads to the inability of the kidneys to retain water. Due to this, an individual with diabetes insipidus will usually present with dilute urine (low specific gravity), rather than a urine specific gravity of 1.030, which appears more concentrated.

Furthermore, the urine output in diabetes insipidus would typically be much higher than 10 to 15 mL/hour, often exceeding 2.5 liters per day. Lastly, while systolic blood pressures above 150 mm Hg could be associated with different health conditions, they are not directly indicative of diabetes insipidus.