The nurse is caring for a child with suspected diabetes insipidus. Which clinical manifestation would be observable?

Diabetes insipidus is a disorder of the posterior pituitary gland that causes a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This leads to excessive urination (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia) as the body tries to balance the fluid loss. These symptoms may be so severe that the child does little other than drink and urinate.

Choice A is wrong because oliguria means decreased urine production and is not associated with diabetes insipidus.

Choice B is wrong because glycosuria means glucose in the urine and is associated with diabetes mellitus, not diabetes insipidus.

Choice C is wrong because nausea and vomiting are associated with inappropriate ADH secretion (SIADH), which causes fluid retention and hyponatremia, not diabetes insipidus.

choice D. Monitor blood glucose levels frequently and observe closely for signs of hypoglycemia. This is because a macrosomic infant (a newborn who’s much larger than average) is at risk of developing low blood sugar levels after birth, especially if the mother has diabetes. Hypoglycemia can cause neurological damage in the newborn, so it is important to detect and treat it promptly.

Choice A is wrong because leaving the infant in the room with the mother without monitoring the blood glucose levels may miss signs of hypoglycemia and delay treatment.

Choice B is wrong because taking the infant immediately to the nursery may separate the infant from the mother and interfere with breastfeeding, which can help prevent hypoglycemia.

Choice C is wrong because performing a gestational age assessment to determine whether the infant is large for gestational age is not urgent and does not address the risk of hypoglycemia.

Normal ranges for blood glucose levels in term infants are 2.6 mmol/L or higher at any time. A blood glucose level of 2.5 mmol/L or less is considered hypoglycemic.