A client with severe head trauma sustained in a car accident is admitted to the intensive care unit. Thirty six-hours later, the client’s urine output suddenly rises above 200mL/hour, leading the nurse to suspect diabetes insipidus. Which laboratory findings support the nurse’s suspicion of diabetes insipidus?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Below-normal urine osmolality level, above-normal serum osmolality level. In diabetes insipidus, there is a deficiency of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), leading to the excretion of large volumes of dilute urine. This results in low urine osmolality as the kidneys are unable to concentrate the urine. On the other hand, the serum osmolality increases due to the lack of ADH causing water retention. Therefore, the laboratory findings of low urine osmolality and high serum osmolality support the diagnosis of diabetes insipidus.
Explanation for other choices:
A: Above-normal urine and serum osmolality levels - This does not align with the pathophysiology of diabetes insipidus.
B: Below-normal urine and serum osmolality levels - This is incorrect as low serum osmolality is not characteristic of diabetes insipidus.
C: Above-normal urine osmolality level, below-normal