Final answer:
The characteristic findings for a patient with diabetes insipidus after a craniotomy are polyuria, high serum osmolality, hypernatremia, and low urine specific gravity. The condition arises from the underproduction of ADH, leading to excessive excretion of dilute urine and increased blood solute concentrations.
Step-by-step explanation:
A patient developing diabetes insipidus after a craniotomy would most likely demonstrate a group of findings characteristic of the disorder. These findings include polyuria, which is an excessive production of dilute urine; high serum osmolality, indicating a high concentration of solutes in the blood; hypernatremia, or high blood sodium levels; and a low urine specific gravity, reflective of the fact that the urine is less concentrated because it contains fewer solutes relative to the amount of water.
Thus, the correct answer to the question is B. Polyuria, high serum osmolality, hypernatremia, and low urine specific gravity. Chronic underproduction of ADH leads to these symptoms because the kidneys cannot retain sufficient water, which is instead excreted in large quantities. This also accounts for the osmotic impact sodium has in the body and why ADH is crucial in water reabsorption in the kidneys.