Accurate patient history contributes to differentiating diabetes insipidus: a case study. J Neurosci Nurs 2004 Aug;36(4):228-30
Date
09/16/2004Pubmed ID
15366550DOI
10.1097/01376517-200408000-00011Scopus ID
2-s2.0-4644228287 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 3 CitationsAbstract
This case study highlights the important contribution of nursing in obtaining an accurate health history. The case discussed herein initially appeared to be neurogenic diabetes insipidus (DI) secondary to a traumatic brain injury. The nursing staff, by reviewing the patient's health history with his family, discovered a history of polydipsia and long-standing lithium use. Lithium is implicated in drug-induced nephrogenic DI, and because the patient had not received lithium since being admitted to the hospital, his treatment changed to focus on nephrogenic DI. By combining information from the patient history, the physical examination, and radiologic and laboratory studies, the critical care team demonstrated that the patient had been self-treating his lithium-induced nephrogenic DI and developed neurogenic DI secondary to brain trauma. Thus successful treatment required that nephrogenic and neurogenic DI be treated concomitantly.
Author List
Olson DM, Meek LG, Lynch JRMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAntimanic Agents
Brain Injuries
Diabetes Insipidus, Nephrogenic
Diabetes Insipidus, Neurogenic
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Lithium Compounds
Male
Medical History Taking