A client tells the nurse that he is "so thirsty" that he has already consumed four pitchers of water. The client's urine output is 3500 mL in an 8-hour period. The client is recovering from surgery on the pituitary gland. What endocrine disorder is the client most likely experiencing?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Excessive thirst and polydipsia, along with large volumes of dilute urine output, suggest diabetes insipidus, which is caused by an insufficient production or secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH) and can be related to pituitary gland surgery. Diabetes mellitus can cause increased thirst and urine output, but the urine output is not as large or dilute as in diabetes insipidus. Myxedema is a condition associated with hypothyroidism, which can cause decreased metabolism and a decrease in fluid and electrolyte balance. Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH) causes excessive water retention and can lead to hyponatremia, but urine output is decreased and not increased as in diabetes insipidus.

A Client Tells the Nurse That He Is "So Thirsty