The nurse is caring for a child with suspected diabetes insipidus. Which clinical manifestation would be observable?

This is because toddlers continue to have the short, straight internal ear canal of infants.

The lymphoid tissue of the tonsils and adenoids continues to be relatively large. These two anatomic conditions combine to predispose the toddler to frequent infections.

Choice A is wrong because respirations are abdominal. This does not affect the susceptibility to infection.

Choice B is wrong because pulse and respiratory rates are slower than those in infancy. This also does not affect the susceptibility to infection.

Choice C is wrong because defense mechanisms are less efficient than those during

infancy. This is not true, as the defense mechanisms are more efficient compared with those of infancy.

Bacteria that synthesize vitamin K is not present in the newborn’s intestinal tract. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting, and newborns are at risk of bleeding problems due to their lack of vitamin K. Therefore, vitamin K is given by injection to prevent hemorrhagic disease in the newborn.

Choice A is wrong because most mothers do not have a diet deficient in vitamin K, and vitamin K deficiency in newborns is not related to the maternal diet.

Choice B is wrong because vitamin K does not prevent the synthesis of prothrombin in the liver, but rather enhances it. Prothrombin is a clotting factor that requires vitamin K for its production.

Choice D is wrong because the supply of vitamin K is not inadequate for at least 3 to 4 months, but rather for a few days until the newborn’s intestinal bacteria start producing it.