Author Question: A patient is hospitalized with head trauma after a motor vehicle accident. The nurse caring for the ... (Read 85 times)

haleyc112 · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A patient is hospitalized with head trauma after a motor vehicle accident. The nurse caring for the patient notes a marked increase in the output of pale, dilute urine. The nurse suspects which condition?

a. Diabetes insipidus
b. Diabetes mellitus
c. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH)
d. Water intoxication

Question 2

A patient arrives in the emergency department with a heart rate of 128 beats per minute and a temperature of 105 F. The patient's skin feels hot and moist.

The free T4 level is 4 ng/dL, the free T3 level is 685 pg/dL, and the TSH level is 0.1 microunits/mL. The nurse caring for this patient will expect to administer:
a. intravenous levothyroxine.
b. iodine-131 (131I).
c. methimazole (Tapazole).
d. propylthiouracil (PTU).

triiciiaa · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) produces hypothalamic diabetes insipidus, in which large volumes of dilute urine are produced. Head trauma can cause the hypothalamus to stop producing ADH. Diabetes mellitus is an endocrine disorder of the pancreas that causes the production of large volumes of nondilute urine. SIADH is a condition in which too much ADH is produced, causing oliguria. Water intoxication occurs with SIADH.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Propylthiouracil is used for patients experiencing thyroid storm, and this patient is showing signs of that condition. Levothyroxine is given IV for hypothyroidism. 131I is used in patients over age 30 who have not responded to other therapies. Methimazole is used long term to treat hyperthyroidism, but PTU is more useful for emergency treatment.