Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Diabetes insipidus physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
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.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
Appearance of the Patient
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]
Vital Signs
- Tachycardia with regular pulse
- Tachypnea
- Low blood pressure due to excessive dehydration
Skin
HEENT
Neck
- Flattened neck veins
Lungs
- Normal vesicular breath sounds
- Occasional wheezing
Heart
- Tachycardia with regular pulse
Abdomen
- Scaphoid abdomen
Neuromuscular
- Patient is usually oriented to person, place, and time
- Altered mental status if the presentation is late
- Hyporeflexia / areflexia
- Generalized muscle weakness
References
References
- ↑ Saifan C, Nasr R, Mehta S, Sharma Acharya P, Perrera I, Faddoul G; et al. (2013). “Diabetes insipidus: a challenging diagnosis with new drug therapies”. ISRN Nephrol. 2013: 797620. doi:10.5402/2013/797620. PMC 4045430. PMID 24977135.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Omodamola Aje B.Sc, M.D. [2]