While the nurse is taking a patient history, the nurse discovers the patient has a type of diabetes that results from a head injury and does not require insulin. Which dietary change should the nurse share with the patient?

A) Reduce the quantity of carbohydrates ingested to lower blood sugar.
B) Include a serving of dairy in each meal to elevate calcium levels.
C) Drink plenty of fluids throughout the day to stay hydrated.
D) Avoid food high in acid to avoid metabolic acidosis.

The patient has diabetes insipidus, which places the patient at risk for dehydration and hypernatremia. Dehydration should be prevented by drinking plenty of fluids to replace the extra water excreted in the urine. Foods high in acid are not what causes metabolic acidosis. A reduction in carbohydrates to lower blood sugar will not help a patient with diabetes insipidus but it may help a patient with diabetes mellitus. Calcium-rich dairy products would be recommended for a hypocalcemic patient.