Question

A patient has developed DI after a head injury. Which medication should the nurse anticipate to be prescribed for the management of DI?

A. Corticotrophin (Acthar)
B. Octreotide (Sandostatin)
C. Somatropin (Genotropin)
D. Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Answer 1

For managing diabetes insipidus after a head injury, the prescribed medication is usually Desmopressin (DDAVP), a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone that aids in water reabsorption.

Step-by-step explanation:

The patient has developed diabetes insipidus (DI) after a head injury, meaning that their body's ability to conserve water is compromised. In the treatment of DI, the medication most commonly prescribed is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is pivotal in water reabsorption and maintaining plasma osmolarity. The correct answer is D. Desmopressin (DDAVP), which acts as a replacement for the naturally occurring ADH that the body is underproducing due to the head injury, thereby helping to decrease urine volume and maintain proper hydration.

Answer 2

A patient has developed DI after a head injury. D. Desmopressin (DDAVP) should the nurse anticipate to be prescribed for the management of DI.

Step-by-step explanation:

D. Desmopressin (DDAVP) is the medication that the nurse should anticipate being prescribed for the management of Diabetes Insipidus (DI) following a head injury.

DI is characterized by the excessive production of dilute urine due to insufficient vasopressin, an antidiuretic hormone. Desmopressin is a synthetic analogue of vasopressin that helps to reduce urine production and increase water reabsorption, effectively managing the symptoms of DI.

Desmopressin acts on the kidneys to decrease urine output and increase urine concentration. It is available in various forms, including oral tablets, nasal spray, and intravenous injections, allowing flexibility in administration based on the patient's condition and preferences.

Options A, B, and C are not the preferred medications for managing DI. Corticotrophin (Acthar - Option A) is an adrenocorticotropic hormone, Octreotide (Sandostatin - Option B) is used in conditions like acromegaly and certain tumors, and Somatropin (Genotropin - Option C) is a growth hormone. These medications are not targeted at addressing the underlying cause of DI associated with a head injury.