Medical-Surgical: Endocrine Disorders Flashcards

A client with diabetes insipidus is most likely to exhibit which finding?

Answer: Excretion of large volumes of dilute urine and excessive thirst

Diabetes insipidus results from ADH deficiency, causing massive output of dilute urine and intense thirst with risk of dehydration.

Which medication is used to treat central diabetes insipidus?

Answer: Desmopressin (DDAVP)

Desmopressin is a synthetic ADH analog that replaces the missing hormone and reduces urine output.

A client with SIADH is expected to have which laboratory finding?

Answer: Hyponatremia and low serum osmolality with concentrated urine

SIADH causes excessive ADH, leading to water retention, dilutional hyponatremia, low serum osmolality, and concentrated urine.

Which nursing intervention is appropriate for a client with SIADH?

Answer: Restrict fluids and monitor sodium levels

Fluid restriction is central to managing SIADH because the problem is water retention causing dilutional hyponatremia.

A client with diabetes insipidus has a serum sodium of 152 mEq/L. Which is the priority concern?

Answer: Dehydration and hypovolemia

Excessive dilute urine output leads to dehydration, hypovolemia, and hypernatremia, making fluid balance the priority.

A nurse monitors a client with SIADH for which neurologic complication of severe hyponatremia?

Answer: Seizures and altered mental status

Severe hyponatremia causes cerebral edema, which can manifest as confusion, seizures, and decreased level of consciousness.

Which finding suggests that fluid replacement therapy for diabetes insipidus is effective?

Answer: Stable blood pressure, balanced intake and output, and normal serum sodium

Effective treatment restores fluid balance, evidenced by stable vital signs, equalized intake/output, and normalized serum sodium.