A patient with diabetes insipidus (DI) is admitted to the hospital for evaluation and treatment. Which intervention would the nurse implement immediately?

A. Obtain 24-hour dietary intake: While monitoring dietary intake is important for long-term management of diabetes insipidus, it does not address the acute and potentially life-threatening fluid and electrolyte imbalance caused by excessive water loss. This is not the immediate priority. B. Administer corticosteroids: Corticosteroids may be used in cases of secondary DI due to adrenal insufficiency, but they are not first-line therapy for the majority of DI patients. Immediate management focuses on correcting dehydration and hypernatremia rather than starting steroids. C. Administer IV fluids: Patients with DI excrete large volumes of dilute urine, leading to dehydration and hypernatremia. Rapid IV fluid replacement is critical to restore circulating volume, correct electrolyte imbalances, and prevent hypovolemic shock. This intervention addresses the most urgent physiologic threat. D. Obtain blood cultures: Blood cultures are indicated if infection is suspected but are not part of the immediate management of DI. Delaying fluid resuscitation to obtain cultures could worsen dehydration and hemodynamic instability.