A nurse is educating a patient on proper hearing aid care and maintenance. Which of the following statements should the nurse include in the teaching?

Choice A Reason:

Administering diuretics to increase urine output is not appropriate in this scenario. Diuretics would exacerbate dehydration and further increase serum sodium levels by promoting additional water loss. This approach would worsen the patient’s condition rather than improve it.

Choice B Reason:

Administering desmopressin is a suitable intervention for this patient. Desmopressin is a synthetic analog of vasopressin (antidiuretic hormone) and is used to treat conditions like diabetes insipidus, which can cause symptoms such as excessive thirst, frequent urination, and dehydration. Desmopressin helps to reduce urine output and correct the imbalance of fluids and electrolytes.

Choice C Reason:

Administering intravenous hypotonic saline is appropriate for managing high serum sodium levels and dehydration. Hypotonic saline helps to lower serum sodium levels by diluting the blood and rehydrating the patient. This intervention addresses both the dehydration and the electrolyte imbalance effectively.

Choice D Reason:

Restricting fluid intake to reduce urine output is not appropriate in this case. Fluid restriction would worsen dehydration and could lead to further complications. The patient needs adequate fluid replacement to correct the dehydration and normalize serum sodium levels.

Choice E Reason:

Administering hypertonic saline is not suitable for this patient. Hypertonic saline would increase serum sodium levels further, exacerbating the hypernatremia. This intervention would be counterproductive and could lead to severe complications.

Choice A Reason:

Encouraging a high-sodium diet is essential for patients with Addison’s disease because they often suffer from hyponatremia (low sodium levels) due to the lack of aldosterone, a hormone that helps regulate sodium and potassium balance. Increasing sodium intake helps to counteract this deficiency and maintain proper electrolyte balance.

Choice B Reason:

Administering potassium supplements is not recommended for patients with Addison’s disease because they already have hyperkalemia (high potassium levels) due to the lack of aldosterone. Adding more potassium could exacerbate this condition and lead to serious complications such as cardiac arrhythmias.

Choice C Reason:

Administering intravenous corticosteroids is a critical intervention for managing Addison’s disease, especially during an adrenal crisis. Corticosteroids like hydrocortisone help replace the deficient hormones and stabilize the patient’s condition by reducing inflammation and supporting metabolic functions.

Choice D Reason:

Monitoring blood glucose levels regularly is important because patients with Addison’s disease can experience hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) due to cortisol deficiency. Regular monitoring helps in timely detection and management of hypoglycemia, preventing potential complications.

Choice E Reason:

Administering diuretics is not appropriate for patients with Addison’s disease as it can lead to further electrolyte imbalances, particularly worsening hyponatremia and hyperkalemia. Diuretics increase the excretion of sodium and potassium, which is counterproductive in managing Addison’s disease.