Which data warrants the most immediate intervention by the nurse for a client with diabetes insipidus (DI)? Reference Range: Sodium [136 to 145 mEq/L (136 to 145 mmol/L)].

Choice A reason: Dry skin and inelastic turgor reflect dehydration in DI from antidiuretic hormone deficiency, causing water loss. This is less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which dehydrates brain cells, risking seizures or coma, requiring immediate fluid correction to prevent neurological damage in this critical condition.

Choice B reason: Tachycardia (110 beats/minute) compensates for hypovolemia in DI, where water loss reduces preload, triggering sympathetic activation. This is less critical than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which causes cerebral dehydration, necessitating urgent hypotonic fluids to prevent neurological complications, making heart rate secondary.

Choice C reason: Serum sodium of 185 mEq/L indicates severe hypernatremia in DI, where water loss concentrates sodium, dehydrating neurons and risking seizures or coma. Immediate IV hypotonic fluids (e.g., 5% dextrose) correct osmolarity, preventing life-threatening cerebral complications, addressing the urgent pathophysiological crisis in DI.

Choice D reason: Polyuria and thirst are hallmark DI symptoms from water loss but expected and less urgent than hypernatremia (185 mEq/L), which threatens neurological function via osmotic brain injury. Correcting sodium is critical to prevent seizures, making these symptoms secondary to urgent electrolyte management.

Choice A reason: Ensuring oxygen and medications manages exacerbations in asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, where airway inflammation obstructs breathing. These treat symptoms, not prevent infections. Vaccines reduce influenza and pneumococcus, major exacerbation triggers, providing specific immunity to prevent severe respiratory infections, making them a higher priority.

Choice B reason: Using tissues and handwashing reduces infection spread but is less effective than vaccines for preventing exacerbations in chronic lung diseases. Influenza and pneumococcus trigger severe bronchoconstriction or inflammation. Vaccines offer targeted protection against these pathogens, prioritizing prevention over general hygiene in high-risk clients.

Choice C reason: Avoiding crowded areas in colder months reduces viral exposure, which can exacerbate asthma or COPD via inflammation. Vaccines are more effective, providing specific immunity against influenza and pneumococcus, the most common triggers of severe exacerbations, making this less critical than vaccination for preventing respiratory complications.

Choice D reason: Annual flu and PPSV23 vaccines are critical for asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema, as these conditions increase severe infection risk. Influenza and pneumococcus trigger exacerbations via airway inflammation, risking hospitalization. Vaccines stimulate antibody production, reducing infection severity, making them the top preventive measure for chronic lung disease management.