M. R. is a patient who was in a major motor vehicle accident 48 hours ago that resulted in a significant head injury. The patient
was recovering without complications until he began to have
increased urinary elimination. The urine volume over the past 12
hours has been 3000 mL. A urinalysis is performed, and the
results include a specific gravity of 1.001. Symptoms of
dehydration are present, and the patient complains of being “so
thirsty." The patient is diagnosed with diabetes insipidus.
1. The patient's family comes to visit the patient. One of the
family members approaches the nurse and asks, “Will he need
insulin now?" How will the nurse respond?
2. What pharmacologic treatment does the nurse expect to be
used?
3. What findings will indicate to the nurse that the medication is
effective?
4. What common adverse effects of vasopressin should the nurse
be observing for?