Deck 0 - Elimination Flashcards
If obstructed, which component of the urination system would cause peristaltic waves?
- Kidney
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
- Ureters
Rationale:
Ureters drain urine from the kidneys into the bladder; if they become obstructed, peristaltic waves attempt to push the obstruction into the bladder. The kidney, bladder, and urethra do not produce peristaltic waves. Obstruction of both bladder and urethra typically does not occur.
When reviewing laboratory results, the nurse should immediately notify the health care provider about which finding?
- Glomerular filtration rate of 20 mL/min
- Urine output of 80 mL/hr
- pH of 6.4
- Protein level of 2 mg/100 mL
- Glomerular filtration rate of 20 mL/min
Rationale:
Normal glomerular filtration rate should be around 125 mL/min; a severe decrease in renal perfusion could indicate a life-threatening problem such as shock or dehydration. Normal urine output is 1000 to 2000 mL/day; an output of 30 mL/hr or less for 2 or more hours would be cause for concern. The normal pH of urine is between 4.6 and 8.0. Protein up to 8 mg/100 mL is acceptable; however, values in excess of this could indicate renal disease.
A patient is experiencing oliguria. Which action should the nurse perform first?
- Increase the patient’s intravenous fluid rate.
- Encourage the patient to drink caffeinated beverages.
- Assess for bladder distention.
- Request an order for diuretics.
- Assess for bladder distention.
Rationale:
The nurse first should gather all assessment data to determine the potential cause of oliguria. It could be that the patient does not have adequate intake, or it could be that the bladder sphincter is not functioning and the patient is retaining water. Increasing fluids is effective if the patient does not have adequate intake, or if dehydration occurs. Caffeine can work as a diuretic but is not helpful if an underlying pathology is present. An order for diuretics can be obtained if the patient was retaining water, but this should not be the first action.
A patient requests the nurse’s assistance to the bedside commode and becomes frustrated when unable to void in front of the nurse. The nurse understands the patient’s inability to void because
- Anxiety can make it difficult for abdominal and perineal muscles to relax enough to void.
- The patient does not recognize the physiological signals that indicate a need to void.
- The patient is lonely, and calling the nurse in under false pretenses is a way to get attention.
- The patient is not drinking enough fluids to produce adequate urine output.
- Anxiety can make it difficult for abdominal and perineal muscles to relax enough to void.
Rationale:
Attempting to void in the presence of another can cause anxiety and tension in the muscles that make voiding difficult. The nurse should give the patient privacy and adequate time if appropriate. No evidence suggests that an underlying physiological or psychological condition exists.
The nurse knows that indwelling catheters are placed before a cesarean because
- The patient may void uncontrollably during the procedure.
- A full bladder can cause the mother’s heart rate to drop.
- Spinal anesthetics can temporarily disable urethral sphincters.
- The patient will not interrupt the procedure by asking to go to the bathroom.
- Spinal anesthetics can temporarily disable urethral sphincters.
Rationale:
Spinal anesthetics may cause urinary retention due to the inability to sense or carry out the need to void. The patient is more likely to retain urine, rather than experience uncontrollable voiding. With spinal anesthesia, the patient will not be able to ambulate during the procedure. A full bladder has no impact on the pulse rate of the mother.
The nurse knows that urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common health care–associated infection because
- Catheterization procedures are performed more frequently than indicated.
- Escherichia coli pathogens are transmitted during surgical or catheterization procedures.
- Perineal care is often neglected by nursing staff.
- Bedpans and urinals are not stored properly and transmit infection.
- Escherichia coli pathogens are transmitted during surgical or catheterization procedures.
Rationale:
E. coli is the leading pathogen causing UTIs; this pathogen enters during procedures. Sterile technique is imperative to prevent the spread of infection. Frequent catheterizations can place a patient at high risk for UTI; however, infection is caused by bacteria, not by the procedure itself. Perineal care is important, and buildup of bacteria can lead to infection, but this is not the greatest cause. Bedpans and urinals may become bacteria ridden and should be cleaned frequently. Bedpans and urinals are not inserted into the urinary tract, so they are unlikely to be the primary cause of UTI.
An 86-year-old patient tells the nurse that she is experiencing uncontrollable leakage of urine. Which nursing diagnosis should the nurse include in the patient’s plan of care?
- Urinary retention
- Hesitancy
- Urgency
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary incontinence
Rationale:
Age-related changes such as loss of pelvic muscle tone can cause involuntary loss of urine known as Urinary incontinence. Urinary retention is the inability to empty the bladder. Hesitancy occurs as difficulty initiating urination. Urgency is the feeling of the need to void immediately.
A patient has fallen several times in the past week when attempting to get to the bathroom. The patient informs the nurse that he gets up 3 or 4 times a night to urinate. Which recommendation by the nurse is most appropriate in correcting this urinary problem?
- Clear the path to the bathroom of all obstacles before bed.
- Leave the bathroom light on to illuminate a pathway.
- Limit fluid and caffeine intake before bed.
- Practice Kegel exercises to strengthen bladder muscles.
- Limit fluid and caffeine intake before bed.
Rationale:
Reducing fluids, especially caffeine and alcohol, before bedtime can reduce nocturia. Clearing a path to the restroom or illuminating the path, or shortening the distance to the restroom, may reduce falls but will not correct the urination problem. Kegel exercises are useful if a patient is experiencing incontinence.
When caring for a patient with urinary retention, the nurse would anticipate an order for
- Limited fluid intake.
- A urinary catheter.
- Diuretic medication.
- A renal angiogram.
- A urinary catheter.
Rationale:
A urinary catheter would relieve urinary retention. Reducing fluids would reduce the amount of urine produced but would not alleviate the urine retention. Diuretic medication would increase urine production and may worsen the discomfort caused by urine retention. A renal angiogram is an inappropriate diagnostic test for urinary retention.
Upon palpation, the nurse notices that the bladder is firm and distended; the patient expresses an urge to urinate. The nurse should follow up by asking
- “When was the last time you voided?”
- “Do you lose urine when you cough or sneeze?”
- “Have you noticed any change in your urination patterns?”
- “Do you have a fever or chills?”
- “When was the last time you voided?”
Rationale:
To obtain an accurate assessment, the nurse should first determine the source of the discomfort. Urinary retention causes the bladder to be firm and distended. Further assessment to determine the pathology of the condition can be performed later. Questions concerning fever and chills, changing urination patterns, and losing urine during coughing or sneezing focus on specific pathological conditions.
Which of the following is the primary function of the kidney?
- Metabolizing and excreting medications
- Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance
- Storing and excreting urine
- Filtering blood cells and proteins
- Maintaining fluid and electrolyte balance
Rationale:
The main purpose of the kidney is to maintain fluid and electrolyte balance by filtering waste products and regulating pressures. The kidneys filter the byproducts of medication metabolism. The bladder stores and excretes urine. The kidneys help to maintain red blood cell volume by producing erythropoietin.
While receiving a shift report on a patient, the nurse is informed that the patient has urinary incontinence. Upon assessment, the nurse would expect to find
- An indwelling Foley catheter.
- Reddened irritated skin on the buttocks.
- Tiny blood clots in the patient’s urine.
- Foul-smelling discharge indicative of a UTI.
- Reddened irritated skin on the buttocks.
Rationale:
Urinary incontinence is uncontrolled urinary elimination; if the urine has prolonged contact with the skin, skin breakdown can occur. An indwelling Foley catheter is a solution for urine retention. Blood clots and foul-smelling discharge are often signs of infection.
Which nursing diagnosis related to alternations in urinary function in an older adult should be a nurse’s first priority?
- Self-care deficit related to decreased mobility
- Risk of infection
- Anxiety related to urinary frequency
- Impaired self-esteem related to lack of independence
- Risk of infection
Rationale:
Older adults often experience poor muscle tone, which leads to an inability of the bladder to fully empty. Residual urine greatly increases the risk of infection. Following Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, physical health risks should be addressed before emotional/cognitive risks such as anxiety and self-esteem. Decreased mobility can lead to self-care deficit; the nurse’s priority concern for this diagnosis would be infection, because the elderly person must rely on others for basic hygiene.
A patient asks about treatment for urge urinary incontinence. The nurse’s best response is to advise the patient to
- Perform pelvic floor exercises.
- Drink cranberry juice.
- Avoid voiding frequently.
- Wear an adult diaper.
- Perform pelvic floor exercises.
Rationale:
Poor muscle tone leads to an inability to control urine flow. The nurse should recommend pelvic muscle strengthening exercises such as Kegel exercises; this solution best addresses the patient’s problem. Drinking cranberry juice is a preventative measure for urinary tract infection. The nurse should not encourage the patient to reduce voiding; residual urine in the bladder increases the risk of infection. Wearing an adult diaper could be considered if attempts to correct the root of the problem fail.
The nurse suspects that a urinary tract infection has progressed to cystitis when the patient complains of which symptom?
- Dysuria
- Flank pain
- Frequency
- Fever and chills
- Frequency
Rationale:
Cystitis is inflammation of the bladder; associated symptoms include hematuria and urgency/frequency. Dysuria is a common symptom of a lower urinary tract infection. Flank pain, fever, and chills are all signs of pyelonephritis.
Which assessment question should the nurse ask if stress incontinence is suspected?
- “Does your bladder feel distended?”
- “Do you empty your bladder completely when you void?”
- “Do you experience urine leakage when you cough or sneeze?”
- “Do your symptoms increase with consumption of alcohol or caffeine?”
- “Do you experience urine leakage when you cough or sneeze?”
Rationale:
Stress incontinence can be related to intra-abdominal pressure causing urine leakage, as would happen during coughing or sneezing. Asking the patient about the fullness of his bladder would rule out retention and overflow. An inability to void completely can refer to urge incontinence. Physiological causes and medications can effect elimination, but this is not related to stress incontinence.
When establishing a diagnosis of altered urinary elimination, the nurse should first
- Establish normal voiding patterns for the patient.
- Encourage the patient to flush kidneys by drinking excessive fluids.
- Monitor patients’ voiding attempts by assisting them with every attempt.
- Discuss causes and solutions to problems related to micturition.
- Discuss causes and solutions to problems related to micturition.
Rationale:
The nurse should assess first to determine cause, then should discuss and create goals with the patient, so nurse and patient can work in tandem to normalize voiding. The nurse should incorporate the patient’s input into creating a plan of care for the patient. Drinking excessive fluid will not help and may worsen alterations in urinary elimination. The nurse does not need to monitor every void attempt by the patient; instead the nurse should provide patient education. The nurse asks the patient about normal voiding patterns, but establishing voiding patterns is a later intervention.