Monitoring Desmopressin for Diabetes Insipidus
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A nurse is providing care for a 71-year-old client who has diabetes insipidus (DI) and is receiving treatment with desmopressin. Which of the following values is most important for the nurse to monitor? O Serum phosphate levels O Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) O Serum calcium levels O Serum sodium levels
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Let's review this pharmacology question regarding a client with diabetes insipidus who is receiving desmopressin treatment.
Pharmacology: Diabetes Insipidus & Desmopressin
Diabetes insipidus is a condition where the body cannot properly regulate fluid levels, leading to excessive urination and thirst. Desmopressin is a synthetic form of antidiuretic hormone used to treat it.
Diabetes Insipidus (DI): Insufficient ADH effect
Desmopressin: Synthetic ADH (retains water)
Because desmopressin causes the kidneys to reabsorb water, it carries a significant risk of water intoxication if not monitored closely.
When the body retains excessive water, the concentration of solutes in the blood drops. This most critically affects sodium levels, leading to a condition called hyponatremia.
Hyponatremia can lead to severe neurological complications, such as seizures or coma, making serum sodium the most important laboratory value to monitor for this patient.
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