A nurse is assessing a client who has diabetes insipidus (DI). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Moist mucous membranes
Urine specific gravity 1.000
Bradycardia
Bounding peripheral pulses
The Correct Answer is B
Choice A reason: Moist mucous membranes are not expected in diabetes insipidus (DI), which causes excessive water loss due to deficient antidiuretic hormone, leading to dehydration and dry mucous membranes. This finding is more typical in conditions with fluid retention, like SIADH, making it incorrect.
Choice B reason: Urine specific gravity of 1.000 (dilute urine) is expected in DI, as deficient antidiuretic hormone reduces renal water reabsorption, causing large volumes of dilute urine. This reflects the kidneys’ inability to concentrate urine, a hallmark of DI, making it the correct finding.
Choice C reason: Bradycardia is not typical in DI. Dehydration from excessive water loss increases heart rate (tachycardia) as a compensatory response to maintain cardiac output. Bradycardia may occur in other conditions but not in DI’s hypervolemic state, making this choice incorrect.
Choice D reason: Bounding peripheral pulses are not expected in DI, where dehydration reduces blood volume, leading to weaker pulses. Bounding pulses occur in hyperdynamic states like thyrotoxicosis, not DI’s hypovolemic state, making this an incorrect finding for the condition.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A reason: Initiating cooling measures is inappropriate for myxedema coma, a hypothyroid crisis causing hypothermia due to low metabolic rate. Warming measures are needed to correct hypothermia, as cooling exacerbates the condition, making this an incorrect and potentially harmful intervention.
Choice B reason: Turning the client every 4 hours prevents pressure ulcers but is not the priority in myxedema coma. Aspiration risk from depressed consciousness and respiratory drive is more immediate, requiring precautions to protect the airway, making this a secondary intervention.
Choice C reason: Placing the client on aspiration precautions is critical in myxedema coma, as severe hypothyroidism causes depressed consciousness and respiratory drive, increasing aspiration risk. Precautions like elevating the head of the bed protect the airway, addressing the immediate life-threatening risk in this condition.
Choice D reason: Checking blood pressure every 2 hours is important but not the priority in myxedema coma. Hypotension occurs, but aspiration risk from altered mental status and respiratory depression poses a greater immediate threat, making aspiration precautions the primary intervention.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason: Hypertension is not a hallmark of diabetes insipidus, which causes hypovolemia from excessive water loss. DI leads to dilute urine and dehydration, often causing hypotension, not hypertension, as the body struggles to maintain vascular volume, making this choice incorrect.
Choice B reason: Tachycardia is a manifestation of diabetes insipidus due to hypovolemia from excessive water loss via dilute urine. The heart rate increases to compensate for reduced blood volume, maintaining cardiac output in response to dehydration, making this the correct finding.
Choice C reason: Hyperglycemia is associated with diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus. DI involves deficient antidiuretic hormone, leading to water loss, not glucose metabolism issues. Blood sugar levels remain unaffected, making this choice incorrect for DI manifestations.
Choice D reason: Bounding peripheral pulses are not typical in diabetes insipidus, where hypovolemia from water loss leads to weak pulses. Dehydration reduces vascular volume, causing thready pulses, not bounding ones, making this choice incorrect for the condition.
Whether you are a student looking to ace your exams or a practicing nurse seeking to enhance your expertise , our nursing education contents will empower you with the confidence and competence to make a difference in the lives of patients and become a respected leader in the healthcare field.
Visit Naxlex, invest in your future and unlock endless possibilities with our unparalleled nursing education contents today
Report Wrong Answer on the Current Question
Do you disagree with the answer? If yes, what is your expected answer? Explain.
Kindly be descriptive with the issue you are facing.
