Psychiatric Technician Practice Exam

Which medical conditions can lead to polyuria?

1. Heart disease and hypertension

2. Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, or nervous diseases

3. Kidney failure and liver cirrhosis

4. Anemia and gastrointestinal disorders

The correct answer is: Diabetes mellitus, diabetes insipidus, or nervous diseases

Polyuria, characterized by the production of abnormally large volumes of urine, can occur as a result of several medical conditions. The correct choice includes diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus, which are directly associated with excessive urination due to their impact on glucose and fluid balance, respectively. In diabetes mellitus, high blood sugar levels lead to increased osmotic pressure in the kidneys, resulting in the excretion of sugars and accompanying water. This process results in increased urine output. Similarly, diabetes insipidus is caused by a deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone (ADH) or a resistance to its effects, leading to an inability to concentrate urine and subsequently causing polyuria. Nervous diseases can also play a role in polyuria, particularly those that affect neurotransmitter regulation and fluid balance in the body. These conditions can disrupt normal kidney function or hormonal signaling, contributing to increased urine output. The other choices list conditions that do not commonly cause polyuria. Heart disease and hypertension, while they can impact kidney function, are not typically the primary causes of increased urine output. Kidney failure can lead to altered urine production, but it does not typically present as polyuria; rather, it may result in oliguria (decreased urine output).