After surgical intervention for a cerebral aneurysm, which manifestations of excessive levels of ADH should a nurse assess in the client?

After surgical intervention for a cerebral aneurysm, it is important for a nurse to assess for manifestations of excessive levels of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which can lead to a condition known as Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone secretion (SIADH). One of the key consequences of SIADH is hyponatremia, which occurs because the excess ADH causes the kidneys to retain water. This leads to dilution of sodium in the bloodstream, resulting in lower than normal sodium levels.

Hyponatremia can manifest with various symptoms, including headache, nausea, confusion, seizures, and in severe cases, coma. Recognizing these signs is crucial for timely intervention and management of the patient's condition post-surgery.

Weight loss, polydipsia, and hypercalcemia are not direct manifestations of excessive ADH. In fact, weight gain is more commonly observed due to fluid retention in cases of SIADH, while polydipsia (excessive thirst) often arises in conditions such as diabetes insipidus, not in SIADH. Hypercalcemia is related to other metabolic imbalances and does not directly correlate with ADH levels. Therefore, monitoring for hyponatremia is