Endocrine Disorders – NCLEX Download to Score A+

After a hypophysectomy for acromegaly, what should be the priority of postoperative nursing care? A. Frequent monitoring of serum and urine osmolarity B. Parenteral administration of a growth hormone receptor antagonist C. Keeping the patient in a recumbent position for 2 days D. Patient teaching relate to lifelong ACTH and TSH hormone replacement A. Frequent monitoring of serum and urine osmolarity A possible postoperative complication after hypophysectomy is transient diabetes insipidus (DI). This may occur because of loss of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which is stored in the posterior lobe of the pituitary, or cerebral oedema related to manipulation of the pituitary during surgery. To assess for DI, monitor urine output and serum and urine osmolarity closely.