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This digital document is an article from Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine, 3rd ed., brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 460 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.The third edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depth medical guide features information on medical topics in language accessible to adult laypersons. Disease/disorder articles typically cover definition; description; causes and symptoms; diagnosis; treatments; prevention; and more. Test/treatment articles typically cover definition; purposes; precautions; preparation; risks; normal and abnormal results; and much more. ... Read more

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The article is excerpted fromGale Encyclopedia of Medicine.

Consultthe second edition of this authoritative, comprehensive, in-depthmedical guide for information on more than 1,700 medical topics inlanguage accessible to adult laypersons. Presented in a singlealphabetical sequence, articles range in length from one or twoparagraphs for minor topics, to several pages or more for major topics.Disease/disorder articles typically cover definition; description;causes and symptoms; diagnosis; treatments; prevention; and more.Test/treatment articles typically cover definition; purposes;precautions; preparation; risks; normal and abnormal results; and muchmore. This second edition includes more than 200 new entries, 300updated entries, approximately 650 color images and illustrations, anda comprehensive subject index. New features include biographical andhistorical sidebars throughout the text.

Disease/disorder articles contain some or all of the following sections:

• Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the disorder
• Descriptions -- overview of the disorder; who gets it and why
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• Diagnosis -- overview of procedures and tests used todiagnose the condition; how the test is done; who should be tested andwhen; time required; cost; whether it's typically covered by insurance
• Treatments -- overview of conventional methods of care ormanagement of the condition, such as drugs, surgeries, physicaltherapy, etc.
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Test/treatment articles contain some or all of the following sections:

• Definitions -- brief dictionary-style definition of the test/treatment
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• Descriptions -- overview of the test/treatment including cost,length of time required, procedures followed, whether typically coveredby insurance
• Preparation -- pre-test treatment procedures, if any
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• Normal results -- for tests, describes the normal values; for treatments, describes the anticipated outcomes
• Abnormal results -- defines abnormal test values

Published/Released: December 2001

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This digital document is an article from Dynamics, published by Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses on September 22, 2008. The length of the article is 2133 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

From the author: A previously healthy young adult underwent neurosurgery for resection of a non-malignant brain tumour. After the operation, the patient experienced electrolyte imbalance, including hypernatremia, and diabetes insipidus was diagnosed. After an initial dose of desmopressin was administered intravenously, the patient's serum sodium level returned to within normal limits and urine output decreased as intended. About 24 hours later, the patient's urine output had increased, and a second dose of desmopressin was given intravenously. In addition, the patient continued to receive hypotonic saline intravenous (IV) solution to replace urine losses. A few hours after the second dose, the patient experienced a seizure. Serum electrolyte levels were checked, and sodium was found to be in the low normal range. During the night, when urine output increased again, a third IV dose of desmopressin was administered. When the results of laboratory tests were reviewed in the morning, the serum sodium was slightly below normal. The IV solution was changed to dextrose 5%, and replacement of urine losses continued. Later that morning, the patient reported nausea and was given dimenhydrinate. A few hours later, the patient was unresponsive, with fixed and dilated pupils. At that time, the serum sodium level was well below normal and the patient had a positive fluid balance of several litres, measured over the preceding 24 hours. Despite several days of treatment in an intensive care unit, the patient's neurological status did not improve, and life support was withdrawn.

Citation Details
Title: Desmopressin (dDAVP) incident signals the need for enhanced monitoring protocols.(ISMP Canada)(Case study)
Author: Mary Jane Campigotto
Publication: Dynamics (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 2008
Publisher: Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses
Volume: 19Issue: 3Page: 34(3)

Article Type: Case study

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