HY USMLE Q #1005 – Electrolytes

A 59-year-old man is recovering in hospital 2 weeks following a car accident in which he sustained head trauma. Laboratory studies show:

Serum sodium                                                                                    120 mEq/L
Serum potassium                                                                              4.0 mEq/L
Serum calcium                                                                                    10.0 mEq/L
Serum chloride                                                                                   103 mEq/L
Serum bicarbonate                                                                           23 mEq/L
Urinary specific gravity                                                                 1.026

Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?

  Diabetes insipidus (central)
  Diabetes insipidus (nephrogenic)
  Psychogenic polydipsia
  Renal tubular acidosis
  Syndrome of inappropriate anti-diuretic hormone secretion

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