Question

The nurse is assessing a client following the removal of a pituitary tumor. The nurse notes that the urinary output has increased and that the urine is very dilute. The nurse should give priority to:

Notifying the doctor immediately
Documenting the finding in the chart
Decreasing the rate of IV fluids
Administering vasopressive medication

Answer 1

The nurse should prioritize notifying the doctor due to potential diabetes insipidus from ADH deficiency after pituitary surgery. Immediate evaluation is necessary to manage hormone imbalance and prevent complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should give priority to notifying the doctor immediately when assessing a client post pituitary tumor removal who exhibits symptoms of increased urinary output and very dilute urine. These symptoms could indicate a condition known as diabetes insipidus, which is often due to a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin. Produced by the hypothalamus and released by the posterior pituitary gland, ADH plays a crucial role in regulating urine concentration by prompting the kidneys to reabsorb water, thus conserving body fluid and maintaining blood pressure.

Considering the potential severity of the underlying issue, documentation and adjusting IV fluids are secondary to the immediate medical assessment that may involve re-evaluation of hormone therapy, including the administration of vasopressive medication, to manage the hormone imbalance caused by the surgery.