Urinalysis and Body Fluids 6th Edition by Majorie DiLorenzo, Susan Strasinger

Exercise 12

A patient presenting with polyuria, nocturia, polydipsia,and a low urine specific gravity is exhibiting symptoms of:

A. Diabetes insipidus

B. Diabetes mellitus

C. Urinary tract infection

D. Uremia

Step 1 of 2

Diabetes insipidus is a very uncommon condition where the body losses too much of liquid.

• It is of two types;

o Central diabetes insipidus

o Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus

• The symptoms of the diabetes insipidus are,

o Polyuria

o Nocturia

o Polydipsia

Polyuria:

• Polyuria is the case when a person excretes large amount of urine.

Nocturia:

• Nocturnal means night. When a person excretes more urine in night time, it is nocturia.

Polydipsia:

• Dipsia means thirst. When a person intake more amount of water or fluid, it is polydipsia.

Specific gravity relates to measurement of substances in urine. If the person urinates frequently, the range in specific gravity scale will be low.

Therefore, “Diabetes insipidus” is the result when a patient is with the symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia and low urine specific gravity. Hence, the correct answer is option.