A client who is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of primary diabetes insipidus (DI) asks the nurse if they will need insulin therapy. Which response should the nurse provide?

Choice A reason: Hypertensive crisis is not a feature of Addison’s disease, which causes hypotension due to cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. Cortisol kits address adrenal insufficiency during stress, not hypertension. This choice is incorrect, as it misaligns with Addison’s pathophysiology and cortisol’s role.

Choice B reason: Cortisol is not used for systemic allergic reactions, which require antihistamines or epinephrine. Addison’s patients need cortisol for adrenal insufficiency during stress, as their bodies cannot produce it. This choice is incorrect, as cortisol kits address hypoadrenalism, not anaphylaxis.

Choice C reason: Addison’s disease involves adrenal insufficiency, impairing cortisol production. Stress increases cortisol demand, which the patient cannot meet, risking adrenal crisis. Carrying a cortisol kit allows rapid administration during stress, preventing life-threatening hypotension or shock, aligning with endocrinology evidence for Addison’s management.

Choice D reason: Hyperglycemia is unrelated to Addison’s disease, which does not typically affect glucose metabolism. Cortisol kits address adrenal insufficiency, not blood glucose. This choice is incorrect, as cortisol replacement is for stress-induced hypoadrenalism, not glycemic control, per Addison’s pathophysiological basis.

Choice A reason: Normal antidiuretic hormone levels regulate water balance but do not address thirst in diabetes mellitus, which is caused by hyperglycemia-induced osmotic diuresis. Controlling blood glucose corrects the osmotic imbalance driving thirst, making ADH maintenance less relevant and incorrect for this manifestation’s control.

Choice B reason: Increasing serum osmolarity would worsen thirst, as high osmolarity from hyperglycemia causes dehydration and polydipsia. The goal is to reduce osmolarity by controlling blood glucose, which mitigates osmotic diuresis. This choice is incorrect, as it exacerbates the mechanism driving the client’s symptom.

Choice C reason: Increased acetone excretion occurs in diabetic ketoacidosis, not directly related to thirst in new diabetes mellitus. Thirst results from hyperglycemia causing osmotic diuresis. Controlling glucose levels addresses the root cause, making acetone excretion irrelevant and incorrect for managing polydipsia in this client.

Choice D reason: Increased thirst in diabetes mellitus results from hyperglycemia causing osmotic diuresis, leading to dehydration. Controlling blood glucose levels reduces serum osmolarity, preventing fluid loss and alleviating thirst. This is the primary physiologic mechanism, supported by endocrinology evidence for managing diabetes-related polydipsia effectively.