Question

In reviewing the assessment data of a client suspected of having diabetes insipidus, the nurse expects which of the following after a water deprivation test?

A) Increased edema and weight gain
B) Unchanged urine specific gravity
C) Rapid protein excretion
D) Decreased blood potassium

Answer 1

After a water deprivation test in a client suspected of diabetes insipidus, a nurse would expect unchanged urine specific gravity. The correct answer is option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

In reviewing the assessment data of a client suspected of having diabetes insipidus, the nurse expects to see unchanged urine specific gravity after a water deprivation test. This outcome indicates a lack of concentration ability of the kidneys due to an underproduction of ADH or a mutation in the ADH receptor.

This condition causes increased urination and thirst because water consumed is continually lost as urine without proper kidney retention. During a concentration test, normally, the administration of ADH would result in the increased concentration of urine.

With normal kidney function, the specific gravity of urine should increase. In the case of diabetes insipidus, however, the injection of ADH would not significantly alter the specific gravity of the urine (sp. gr. remains below 1.020), reflecting a deficiency in the kidneys' ability to reabsorb water.