A client is admitted to the intensive care unit with diabetes insipidus due to a pituitary gland tumor.

Which potential complication should the nurse monitor closely?

Choice A rationale:

Reporting the finding to the healthcare provider is important when the client no longer responds to commands and exhibits a specific response to pain. However, it should not be the first action. The nurse's initial response should be to assess and document the client's neurological status and response to pain to provide accurate information to the healthcare provider.

Choice B rationale:

Documenting the purposeful response to pain is the correct initial action in this scenario. The client's response, which involves pulling the arms inward with elbows and wrists flexed and extending the legs with the toes pointed downward, is known as decerebrate posturing. It is a specific neurological response to painful stimuli and may indicate a brain injury. Documenting this response is crucial for the client's medical record and helps the healthcare provider assess the severity of the neurological injury.

Choice C rationale:

Initiating seizure precautions immediately is not the first action to take in this scenario. While the client's response to pain may resemble posturing seen in seizures, it is more indicative of a neurological injury or dysfunction. Further assessment and evaluation are needed before implementing seizure precautions.

Choice D rationale:

Administering a prescribed PRN analgesic is not the first action to take when the client exhibits decerebrate posturing in response to pain. This response indicates a neurological issue or injury that requires assessment and evaluation. Administering pain medication without a clear understanding of the underlying cause may not be appropriate and could potentially mask important neurological signs.

The correct answer is choiced. Ask the parents to explain what they understand about the child’s diagnosis.

Choice A rationale:

While it is important to support the parents’ decisions, this choice does not address the need for the parents to have accurate information about the condition and its potential complications.

Choice B rationale:

This statement is incorrect.Delaying surgery for hypospadias can lead to complications such as urinary problems, infections, and issues with sexual function later in life.

Choice C rationale:

This is misleading.Hypospadias does not typically resolve on its own, and waiting can result in complications that may require more complex surgical interventions.

Choice D rationale:

This choice is correct because it encourages the parents to share their understanding of the diagnosis, allowing the nurse to provide accurate information and address any misconceptions.This approach ensures that the parents make an informed decision based on a clear understanding of the condition and its implications.