RENAL Lewis Ch 44: Assessment of the Urinary System Flashcards

1
Q

Which question should the nurse ask to assess a patient’s dysuria?

a. “Do you have to urinate at night?”
b. “Do you have blood in your urine?”
c. “Do you have to urinate frequently?”
d. “Do you have pain when you urinate?”

A

d. “Do you have pain when you urinate?”

Dysuria is painful urination. The alternate responses can be used to assess other urinary tract symptoms: hematuria, nocturia, and frequency.

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2
Q

What action should the nurse take first when a patient’s urine dipstick test indicates a small amount of protein?

a. Send a urine specimen to the laboratory to test for ketones.
b. Obtain a clean-catch urine for culture and sensitivity testing.
c. Inquire about which medications the patient is currently taking.
d. Ask the patient about any family history of chronic renal failure.

A

c. Inquire about which medications the patient is currently taking.

Normally the urinalysis will show zero to trace amounts of protein, but some medications may give false-positive readings. The other actions by the nurse may be appropriate but checking for medications that may affect the dipstick accuracy should be first.

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3
Q

A hospitalized patient who has possible renal insufficiency after coronary artery bypass surgery will have a creatinine clearance test. Which item will the nurse need to obtain?

a. Urinary catheter
b. Sterile specimen cup
c. Cleansing towelettes
d. Large urine container

A

d. Large urine container

Because creatinine clearance testing involves a 24-hour urine specimen, the nurse should obtain a large container for the urine collection. Catheterization, cleaning of the perineum with antiseptic towelettes, and a sterile specimen cup are not needed for this test.

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4
Q

A young adult employed as a hair stylist who has a 15 pack-year history of cigarette smoking arrives for an annual physical examination. Which area of increased risk should the nurse plan to teach the patient?

a. Renal failure
b. Kidney stones
c. Pyelonephritis
d. Bladder cancer

A

d. Bladder cancer

Exposure to the chemicals involved with working as a hair stylist and in smoking both increase the risk of bladder cancer, and the nurse should assess whether the patient understands this risk. The patient is not at increased risk for renal failure, pyelonephritis, or kidney stones.

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5
Q

Which medication taken by a patient with decreased renal function will be of most concern to the nurse?

a. ibuprofen (Motrin)
b. warfarin (Coumadin)
c. folic acid (vitamin B9)
d. penicillin (Bicillin C-R)

A

a. ibuprofen (Motrin)

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are nephrotoxic and should be avoided in patients with impaired renal function. The nurse should also ask about reasons the patient is taking the other medications, but the medication of most concern is the ibuprofen.

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6
Q

A 78-yr-old patient has been admitted with benign prostatic hyperplasia. What is most appropriate to include in the nursing plan of care?

a. Limit fluid intake to no more than 1000 mL/day.
b. Leave a light on in the bathroom during the night.
c. Ask the patient to use a urinal so that urine can be measured.
d. Pad the patient’s bed to accommodate overflow incontinence.

A

b. Leave a light on in the bathroom during the night.

The patient’s age and diagnosis indicate a likelihood of nocturia, so leaving the light on in the bathroom is appropriate. Fluids should be encouraged because dehydration is more common in older patients. The information in the question does not indicate that measurement of the patient’s output is necessary or that the patient has overflow incontinence.

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7
Q

The nurse completing a physical assessment for a newly admitted patient is unable to feel either kidney on palpation. Which action should the nurse take?

a. Obtain a urine specimen to check for hematuria.
b. Document the information on the assessment form.
c. Ask the patient about any history of recent sore throat.
d. Ask the health care provider about scheduling a renal ultrasound.

A

b. Document the information on the assessment form.

The kidneys are protected by the abdominal organs, ribs, and muscles of the back and may not be palpable under normal circumstances. No action is needed except to document the assessment information.

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8
Q

How will the nurse assess for flank tenderness in a patient with suspected pyelonephritis?

a. Palpate along both sides of the lumbar vertebral column.
b. Strike a flat hand covering the costovertebral angle (CVA).
c. Push fingers upward into the two lowest intercostal spaces.
d. Percuss between the iliac crest and ribs at the midaxillary line.

A

b. Strike a flat hand covering the costovertebral angle (CVA).

Checking for flank pain is performed by percussion of the CVA and asking about pain. The other techniques would not assess for flank pain.

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9
Q

What glomerular filtration rate (GFR) would the nurse estimate for a 30-yr-old patient with a creatinine clearance result of 60 mL/min?

a. 60 mL/min
b. 90 mL/min
c. 120 mL/min
d. 180 mL/min

A

a. 60 mL/min

The creatinine clearance approximates the GFR. The other responses are not accurate.

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10
Q

The nurse is examining an adult patient. For what purpose would the nurse use palpation?

a. Determining kidney function
b. Identifying renal artery bruits
c. Checking for bladder distention
d. Assessing for ureteral peristalsis

A

c. Checking for bladder distention

A distended bladder may be palpable above the symphysis pubis. Palpation would not be helpful in assessing for the other listed urinary tract information.

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11
Q

A patient gives the admitting nurse health information before a scheduled intravenous pyelogram (IVP). Which item requires the nurse to intervene before the procedure?

a. The patient has not had food or drink for 8 hours.
b. The patient lists allergies to shellfish and penicillin.
c. The patient reports costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness.
d. The patient used a bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablet the previous night.

A

b. The patient lists allergies to shellfish and penicillin.

Iodine-based contrast dye is used during IVP and for many CT scans. The nurse will need to notify the health care provider before the procedures so that the patient can receive medications such as antihistamines or corticosteroids before the procedures are started. The other information does not have immediate implications for the patient’s care during the procedures.

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12
Q

A patient passing bloody urine has scheduled a cystoscopy with cystogram. Which description of the procedure by the nurse is accurate?

a. “Your doctor will place a catheter into an artery in your groin and inject a dye to visualize the blood supply to the kidneys.”
b. “Your doctor will insert a lighted tube into the bladder, and little catheters will be inserted through the tube into your kidneys.”
c. “Your doctor will insert a lighted tube in the bladder through your urethra, inspect the bladder, and instill dye to outline your bladder on x-ray.”
d. “Your doctor will inject a radioactive solution into a vein in your arm, then the isotope in your kidneys and bladder will be visible on a scanner.”

A

c. “Your doctor will insert a lighted tube in the bladder through your urethra, inspect the bladder, and instill dye to outline your bladder on x-ray.”

In a cystoscope and cystogram procedure, a cystoscope is inserted into the bladder for direct
visualization, and then contrast solution is injected through the scope so that x-rays can be
taken. The response beginning, “Your doctor will place a catheter” describes a renal arteriogram procedure. The response beginning, “Your doctor will inject a radioactive solution” describes a nuclear scan. The response beginning, “Your doctor will insert a lighted tube into the bladder, and little catheters will be inserted” describes a retrograde pyelogram.

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13
Q

When caring for a patient after cystoscopy, what should the nurse include in the plan of care?

a. The patient learns to request narcotics for pain.
b. The patient understands to expect blood-tinged urine.
c. The patient restricts activity to bed rest for 4 to 6 hours.
d. The patient remains NPO for 8 hours to prevent vomiting.

A

b. The patient understands to expect blood-tinged urine.

Pink-tinged urine and urinary frequency are expected after cystoscopy. Burning on urination is common, but pain that requires opioids for relief is not expected. A good fluid intake is encouraged after this procedure. Bed rest is not required after cystoscopy.

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14
Q

A patient who has increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine levels is scheduled for a renal arteriogram. Which bowel preparation order would the nurse question for this patient?

a. Fleet enema
b. Tap-water enema
c. Senna/docusate (Senokot-S)
d. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) tablets

A

a. Fleet enema

High-phosphate enemas, such as Fleet enemas, should be avoided in patients with elevated BUN and creatinine because phosphate cannot be excreted by patients with renal failure. The other medications for bowel evacuation are more appropriate.

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15
Q

A female patient with a suspected urinary tract infection is to provide a clean-catch urine specimen for culture and sensitivity testing. What should the nurse do to obtain the specimen?
a. Have the patient empty the bladder completely; then obtain the next urine
specimen that the patient is able to void.
b. Tell the patient to clean the urethral area, void a small amount into the toilet, then
void directly into a sterile container.
c. Insert a short sterile “mini” catheter attached to a collecting container into the
urethra and bladder to obtain the specimen.
d. Clean the area around the patient’s meatus with a povidone iodine (Betadine) swab
and then have the patient void into a sterile specimen cup.

A

b. Tell the patient to clean the urethral area, void a small amount into the toilet, then

This answer describes the technique for obtaining a clean-catch specimen. The answer
beginning, “insert a short, small, ‘mini’ catheter attached to a collecting container” describes a
technique that would result in a sterile specimen, but a health care provider’s order for a
catheterized specimen would be required. Using Betadine before obtaining the specimen might result in suppressing the growth of some bacteria. The technique described in the answer beginning “have the patient empty the bladder completely” would not result in a sterile specimen.

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16
Q

The nurse is caring for a hospitalized patient with a decreased glomerular filtration rate who is scheduled for an intravenous pyelogram (IVP). Which action will be included in the plan of care?

a. Monitor the urine output after the procedure.
b. Assist with monitored anesthesia care (MAC).
c. Give oral contrast solution before the procedure.
d. Insert a large size urinary catheter before the IVP.

A

a. Monitor the urine output after the procedure.

Patients with impaired renal function are at risk for decreased renal function after IVP because the contrast medium used is nephrotoxic, so the nurse should monitor the patient’s urine output. MAC sedation and retention catheterization are not required for the procedure. The contrast medium is given IV, not orally.

17
Q

Which nursing action is essential for a patient immediately after a renal biopsy?

a. Insert a urinary catheter and test urine for microscopic hematuria.
b. Check blood glucose to assess for hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.
c. Apply a pressure dressing and position the patient on the affected side.
d. Monitor blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine to assess renal function.

A

c. Apply a pressure dressing and position the patient on the affected side.

A pressure dressing is applied, and the patient is kept on the affected side for 30 to 60 minutes to put pressure on the biopsy side and decrease the risk for bleeding. The blood glucose and BUN/creatinine will not be affected by the biopsy. Although monitoring for hematuria is needed, there is no need for catheterization.

18
Q

A male patient in the clinic provides a urine sample that is red-orange in color. Which action should the nurse take?

a. Notify the patient’s health care provider.
b. Teach correct midstream urine collection.
c. Ask the patient about current medications.
d. Question the patient about urinary tract infection risk factors.

A

c. Ask the patient about current medications.

A red-orange color in the urine is normal with some over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as phenazopyridine. The color is not expected with urinary tract infection, is not a sign that poor technique was used in obtaining the specimen and does not need to be communicated to the health care provider until further assessment is done.

19
Q

A female patient being admitted with pneumonia has a history of neurogenic bladder due to a spinal cord injury. Which action will the nurse plan to take first?

a. Ask about the usual urinary pattern and any measures used for bladder control.
b. Assist the patient to the toilet at scheduled times to help ensure bladder emptying.
c. Check the patient for urinary incontinence every 2 hours to maintain skin integrity.
d. Use intermittent catheterization on a regular schedule to avoid the risk of infection.

A

a. Ask about the usual urinary pattern and any measures used for bladder control.

Before planning any interventions, the nurse should complete the assessment and determine the patient’s normal bladder pattern and the usual measures used by the patient at home. Other responses may be appropriate, but until the assessment is complete, an individualized plan for the patient cannot be developed.

20
Q

Which information from a patient’s urinalysis requires that the nurse notify the health care provider?

a. pH 6.2
b. Trace protein
c. WBC 20 to 26/hpf
d. Specific gravity 1.021

A

c. WBC 20 to 26/hpf

The increased number of white blood cells (WBCs) indicates the presence of urinary tract infection or inflammation. The other findings are normal.

21
Q

Which statement by a patient who had a cystoscopy the previous day should the nurse report immediately to the health care provider?

a. “My urine looks pink.”
b. “My IV site is bruised.”
c. “My sleep was restless.”
d. “My temperature is 101.”

A

d. “My temperature is 101.”

The patient’s elevated temperature may indicate a bladder infection, a possible complication of cystoscopy. The health care provider should be notified so that antibiotic therapy can be started. Pink-tinged urine is expected after a cystoscopy. The insomnia and bruising should be discussed further with the patient but do not indicate a need to notify the health care provider.

22
Q

When working in the urology/nephrology clinic, which patient’s care could the nurse delegate to an experienced licensed practical/vocational nurse (LPN/VN)?

a. Patient who is scheduled for a renal biopsy after a recent kidney transplant.
b. Patient who will need monitoring for several hours after a renal arteriogram.
c. Patient who requires teaching about possible post-cystoscopy complications.
d. Patient who will have catheterization to check for residual urine after voiding.

A

d. Patient who will have catheterization to check for residual urine after voiding.

LPN/VN education includes common procedures such as catheterization of stable patients. The other patients require complex assessments or patient teaching that are included in registered nurse (RN) education and scope of practice.

23
Q

In the accompanying figure, what is the nurse assessing via percussion?

a. Liver size and shape
b. Pulmonary tissue density
c. Posterior chest skeletal stability
d. Upper urinary tract inflammation

A

d. Upper urinary tract inflammation

The nurse in the photo is using indirect percussion to determine the presence or absence of costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness, which suggests pyelonephritis or polycystic kidney disease. The liver size would be percussed from the anterior direction with the patient positioned supine. Chest stability and excursion are determined by palpating and observing for symmetry of expansion. Pulmonary tissue density would be determined by tapping the interphalangeal joint over the lung fields and listening for resonance.