# A client with central diabetes insipidus receives desmopressin. Which finding best indicates the intended response to therapy?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Postsurgical Complications  
> category: ROR

## Question

A client with central diabetes insipidus receives desmopressin. Which finding best indicates the intended response to therapy?

## Option

1. Urine output is 360 mL/hr, and urine specific gravity is 1.001
2. Urine output is 200 mL/hr, and serum sodium is 153 mEq/L
3. Urine output is 75 mL/hr, and urine specific gravity is 1.015 **✔ Correct answer**
4. Urine output is 25 mL/hr, and serum sodium is 128 mEq/L with headache

**Correct answer: 3**

## Explanation

Desmopressin replaces antidiuretic activity, so effective therapy decreases excessive urine volume and produces more concentrated urine. Very low output with hyponatremia and headache suggests excessive water retention rather than the intended balanced response.

## In-depth explanation

Quick answer
A lower, adequate urine output with increased urine concentration shows the intended antidiuretic response.

Why this is correct
Central diabetes insipidus causes large amounts of dilute urine because antidiuretic hormone activity is deficient. Desmopressin should reduce urine volume and increase urine osmolality or specific gravity while maintaining safe fluid and sodium balance.

Easy analogy or mental picture
Desmopressin partly closes a drain that was letting too much dilute water escape. The desired result is controlled flow, not a blocked drain, and the analogy does not replace sodium and neurologic monitoring.

Memory hook
Effective desmopressin makes urine less excessive and more concentrated without water intoxication.

NCLEX decision rule
Evaluate antidiuretic replacement by pairing urine volume with urine concentration and sodium status. Continued dilute polyuria means inadequate effect, while oliguria with hyponatremic symptoms suggests excessive effect.

Why the other choices are wrong
High dilute output shows persistent diabetes insipidus. Continued high sodium with polyuria is inadequate response, and very low output with low sodium and headache signals water intoxication.References

- [1]NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test PlanNational Council of State Boards of Nursing

- [2]DailyMed: Desmopressin Acetate Oral SolutionU.S. National Library of Medicine

## Related questions

- [A 24-year-old patient is brought to the ED with a generalized tonic-clonic seizure that ha…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=372718&lang=en)
- [A 28-year-old patient with a T4 spinal cord injury 3 months ago is admitted with sudden se…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=372742&lang=en)
- [A patient who sustained blunt chest trauma 30 minutes ago is now in extreme respiratory di…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=372743&lang=en)
- [Two hours after abdominal surgery, a client has a saturated dressing, heart rate 126/min, …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=393732&lang=en)
- [A client scheduled for surgery tomorrow says, "I took my warfarin this morning like usual.…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394155&lang=en)
- [A client is 6 hours postoperative after a thyroidectomy and develops stridor with increasi…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=396608&lang=en)
- [A client 2 hours after abdominal surgery has a heart rate of 122/min, blood pressure 86/50…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397167&lang=en)
- [A client 12 hours after thyroidectomy reports tingling around the mouth and muscle cramps.…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=397280&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=498730&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

_For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._