The nurse is providing postoperative care to a patient who underwent a transsphenoidal hypophysectomy for a benign pituitary tumor.The nurse administers replacement hydrocortisone,thyroid hormone,and vasopressin.The nurse evaluates that the vasopressin replacement is effective when:

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Vasopressin is administered to replace antidiuretic hormone following a hypophysectomy.Other life-sustaining hormones such as cortisol and thyroid hormone that involve a feedback system between the pituitary gland and the target gland also must be replaced.Vasopressin produces elevation of blood pressure,causes retention of fluid,and reduces urine output.The result is a decrease in serum sodium and serum osmolality secondary to hemodilution and increase in urine specific gravity.Blood glucose control is not affected by vasopressin; cortisol would directly affect blood glucose.Core body temperature would be most directly affected by thyroid hormone.Urine specific gravity would increase,not decrease,following vasopressin administration.

The Nurse Is Providing Postoperative Care to a Patient Who