The nurse is caring for a patient with head trauma who was admitted to the surgical intensive care unit following a motorcycle crash.What is an important assessment that will assist the nurse in early identification of an endocrine disorder commonly associated with this condition?
A) Daily weight
B) Fingerstick glucose
C) Lung sound auscultation
D) Urine osmolality

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Diabetes insipidus may result from traumatic brain injury.It results in passage of large volumes of dilute urine.Urine osmolality is low in individuals with diabetes insipidus,and urine specific gravity assessments should be incorporated into the care of at-risk patients.Even though daily weight monitoring is important in the assessment of fluid balance disorders,it is not specific in determining cause.Urine specific gravity measuring would be a more specific means of identifying diabetes insipidus.Blood glucose values would be abnormal in diabetes mellitus but not diabetes insipidus.Changes in breath sounds accompany fluid overload states such as SIADH.Diabetes insipidus is a hypovolemic condition.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient with Head Trauma