Question

Jerry Smallwood is a 45-year-old African American man. He presented to the physician’s office today with complaints of frequent urination and increased thirst. After a thorough examination, the physician diagnoses Mr. Smallwood with diabetes insipidus.

The physician prescribes intranasal desmopressin (DDAVP) to Mr. Smallwood. How should the nurse instruct Mr. Smallwood to use the intranasal spray?

Excessive doses of desmopressin can lead to water intoxication. What are the symptoms of water intoxication, and what should the nurse do if these symptoms occur?

Answer 1

ANS) The intranasal desmopressin should be used according to the instructions from physician.

* This is a drug which is to be sprayed in the nose.

* At the time of applying this medicine for the initial time, this spray should be made ready to use.Just push down the pump for a while.in case if you didn't used the medicine for some days then once more you may need to push down the pump for a while.

* Kindly puff your nose at the time of using the medicine.Just turn your head back to drop the spray in nose.while spraying in one nostril, close the other nostril.Then perform a single spray and after that just breath in and hold the breath for some time and after that breath out gently by the way of mouth.

* In case if there is a requirement for 2nd spray, then perform it in the other nostril on the same way.After the usage of the drug, clean the head of drug container and close the container.

The symptoms of water intoxication ,

Headache, Tendency to vomit,tiredness,infirmity of muscle, seizures, dropping of awareness.

* If the symptoms of water intoxication has been noticed by the nurse, he or she should pass that information to the doctor.If the fluid has been started to accumulate in human body, for example, in case of brain cells, the fluid accumulation many leads to bulging and that results in permanent unconsciousness or seizures.The consumption of salty foods can reduce the adverse symptoms for a short period of time.

Thanks!!!!