Nursing Interventions: Diabetes Insipidus

1. Institute safety precautions if the patient complains of dizziness or weakness.
2. Make sure the patient has easy access to the bathroom or bed pan, and answer his calls signals promptly.
3. Give vasopressin cautiously to a patient with coronary artery disease because the drug may cause vasoconstriction.
4. Provide meticulous skin and mouth care. Use soft toothbrush and mild mouth wash to avoid trauma to the oral mucosa.
5. Keep accurate records of hourly fluid intake and urine output, vital signs, and daily weight.
6. Monitor urine specific gravity and serum electrolyte and blood urea nitrogen levels.
7. During dehydration testing, watch for signs of hypovolemic shock.
8. Check laboratory values for hyponatremia and hyupoglycemia.
9. Encourage the patient to maintain adequate fluid intake during the day to prevent severe dehydration and to limit fluid in the evening.
10. Tell the patient to record his weigh daily.
11. Inform the patient and his family about long-term hormone replacement therapy.