A nurse is caring for a client with a urine specific gravity of less than 1.005, polyuria, and nocturia. The nurse recognizes that which of the following physiologic findings is the likely cause?
Increased insulin production
Increased adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH)
Low levels of T3, T4
Insufficient antidiuretic hormone (ADH)
The Correct Answer is D
A. Increased insulin production would not cause polyuria and low specific gravity urine; rather, hyperglycemia from lack of insulin can cause high specific gravity due to glucose in urine.
B. Increased ACTH affects cortisol production but is not directly related to urine concentration or polyuria.
C. Low T3 and T4 levels are associated with hypothyroidism, which typically does not cause polyuria or decreased specific gravity.
D. Insufficient ADH, as seen in diabetes insipidus, leads to the inability to concentrate urine, resulting in a low specific gravity, polyuria, and nocturia due to excessive water loss.
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View Related questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
A. In SIADH, excess ADH causes water retention and hyponatremia; fluid restriction helps to prevent further dilution of sodium and manage fluid balance.
B. NPO status is unnecessary unless otherwise indicated; managing fluid intake is more effective.
C. Increasing oral intake would worsen fluid overload and hyponatremia.
D. Rapid IV fluid infusion can exacerbate the client’s condition by increasing fluid volume further.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
A. The Glasgow Coma Scale is useful for assessing consciousness levels but may not be as sensitive for changes in brainstem function in a patient already in an induced coma.
B. Assessing pupillary size and reaction provides critical information on brainstem function and can indicate changes in ICP. Changes in pupil size and reaction can signify worsening cerebral function or brain herniation.
C. Blood pressure and heart rate are vital signs that can suggest increased ICP, but they are not as direct an indicator of cerebral function as pupil assessment.
D. The gag reflex is important but does not provide as direct information about cerebral function related to ICP as pupillary assessment does.