Diabetes Insipidus Nursing Management

Body Composition

• Water accounts for approximately 55-60% of an adult's body weight.

Fluid Compartments

• The intracellular fluid compartment has a higher percentage of water in lean body mass.

Hormones and Electrolytes

• Osmolality suppresses the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH).
• Aldosterone causes sodium and water retention.
• Natriuretic peptides released by the heart promote sodium excretion and reduce blood volume.
• Parathyroid hormone (PTH) regulates electrolytes by increasing calcium levels and reducing phosphate levels.

Potassium

• The normal range for potassium levels in the serum is 3.5-5.5 mEq/L.
• The primary role of sodium in the body is to regulate fluid balance and blood pressure.
• A common cause of hypernatremia is dehydration.
• Hypernatremia can cause headache, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Calcium

• The main function of Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) is to regulate calcium levels.
• A common sign of hypocalcemia is muscle cramps.
• A potential harm of hypocalcemia is tetany or seizures.

Magnesium

• The majority of magnesium is contained in bones.
• A common sign of hypermagnesemia is respiratory depression.
• The initial symptom of hypermagnesemia is often weakness or fatigue.
• The recommended intervention for hypermagnesemia is calcium gluconate administration.
• A common manifestation of hypomagnesemia is muscle cramps.

Phosphorus

• Phosphorus has an inverse relationship with calcium levels.
• A potential harm of hyperphosphatemia is soft tissue calcification.
• A key function of phosphorus in the body is energy production.
• A possible intervention for hyperphosphatemia is phosphate binders.
• A common cause of hypophosphatemia is malnutrition.

Potassium

• The major intracellular cation that plays a crucial role in maintaining cardiac rhythms and resting membrane potential of nerve and muscle cells is potassium.
• Sodium polystyrene sulfonate is indicated in the management of hyperkalemia to force potassium from extracellular fluid to intracellular fluid.

Calcium

• The primary source of calcium in the body is diet.
• A condition characterized by manifestations such as fatigue, confusion, muscle cramps, and life-threatening arrhythmias is hypocalcemia.
• The gold standard medication in the management of hypercalcemia is bisphosphonates.

Magnesium

• Magnesium has an inverse relationship with sodium and is essential for nerve impulse transmission and blood clotting.
• Magnesium imbalance may lead to manifestations such as laryngeal stridor, dysrhythmias, and numbness/tingling around the mouth or extremities.