Diabetes insipidus physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]

Patients with diabetes insipidus usually appear generally weak without any focal neurologic findings. However, physical examination of patients with diabetes insipidus may be remarkable for signs of dehydration, such as tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and dry mucus membranes.

Patients with diabetes insipidus usually appear lethargic. Physical examination of patients with diabetes insipidus is usually remarkable for signs of dehydration, such as tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and dry mucus membranes.^[1]

• Tachycardia with regular pulse
• Tachypnea
• Low blood pressure due to excessive dehydration

• Pallor

• Headache
• Dry mucus membranes

• Flattened neck veins

• Normal vesicular breath sounds
• Occasional wheezing

• Tachycardia with regular pulse

• Scaphoid abdomen

• Patient is usually oriented to person, place, and time
• Altered mental status if the presentation is late
• Hyporeflexia / areflexia
• Generalized muscle weakness

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