Week 13: Chp 61: Assessment of Renal and Urinary Function Flashcards
History Collection Includes what?
- demographics and personal data
- personal and family health history
- medication use
- renal and urinary assessment
When the renal and urinary systems are evaluated, essential demographic data includes?
gender, age, race, socioeconomic status, occupational history, and dietary and personal habits
What is a critical component when assessing the function of any body system?
collecting a subjective patient history
Why is each gender predisposed to unique complications that should be considered and assessed?
because of the variations in the anatomy of the male and female urinary systems
- ex: females are more susceptible to develop UTIs than males because of the short length of the female urethra
- ex: the presence of the prostate gland in males introduces the potential for complications including prostatitis, benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) or nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland, or prostate cancer
History: Socioeconomic status
low socioeconomic status, low levels of education, and lack of access to healthcare and the development of chronic conditions that increase the risk of renal complications
-low socioeconomic status has been linked with higher incidence of bladder cancer; due in part with occupational exposure to specific chemicals and to an increased rate of smoking
History: Chemical exposure
-exposure to chemicals such as aromatic amines and hydrocarbons is known to increase risk of bladder cancer
History: Occupation
employed as textile workers, hairdressers, painters, and manufacturers of rubber and leather products have a high incidence of bladder cancer
History: Dietary intake
consumption of foods high in protein, dairy products, and salt may lead to increased development of renal calculi
-inadequate fluid intake also increases the risk of developing UTIs, renal calculi, and even renal failure
History: Smoking
primary risk for bladder cancer
History: Family history
diabetes and hypertension have a hereditary component and the patient should be assessed for these conditions; these conditions can compromise blood flow to and through the kidneys, resulting in renal complications
-as well as assess a family history of kidney disease, urological failure, and frequent UTIs
History: Personal history
- changes in weight, excessive thirst, fatigue, and signs of fluid retention are symptoms that warrant further investigation of the functioning of the renal and urinary systems
- personal history of neurological deficits, urological cancers, frequent UTIs, and trauma to the urinary tract should be assessed
History: Medication use
history of patients current and past use of over-the-counter (OTC) medications, prescription medications, vitamins and herbal supplements
-many classes of medications are known to affect the normal functioning of the urinary system
>Diuretics: increase the quantity and frequency of urine output
>Some chemotherapeutic agents, phenazopyridine (Pyridium), and nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin), are known to alter the color of urine
>Classes of medications used to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders can affect the normal functioning of the muscles and nerves controlling the bladder contraction and relaxation; may lead to urinary incontinence, retention, and other difficulties in voiding
>some medications can be toxic to the kidneys (nephrotoxic)
Classes of Medication that are known to affect the normal functioning of the urinary system
- diuretics: increase the quantity and frequency of urine output
- chemotherapeutic agents, phenazopyridine (Pyridium), and nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin), are known to alter the color of urine
- classes of medications used to treat neurological and musculoskeletal disorders can affect the normal functioning of the muscles and nerves controlling the bladder contraction and relaxation; may lead to urinary incontinence, retention, and other difficulties in voiding
- some can be toxic to the kidneys (nephrotoxic) (analgesics like aspirin and ibuprofen)
Renal and Urinary Assessment
ask questions regarding any changes in appearance (clarity and color), or odor of urine, the pattern of urination, and the ability to voluntarily control voiding
>a change in the color of urine may be a result of medications, overhydration, dehydration, or the presence of blood in the urine (hematuria)
>urine typically smells like ammonia
>changes in the odor of urine may be caused by medications, hydration status, or the presence of infectious organisms
Hematuria
presence of blood in the urine
-due to cystitis or other inflammation in the urinary tract, calculi, cancers of the urinary tract, renal disease, bleeding disorders, medications such as anticoagulants
A change in the color of urine may be due to what?
may be a result of medications, overhydration, dehydration, or the presence of blood (hematuria) in the urine
A change in the odor of urine may be due to what?
caused by medications, hydration status, or the presence of infectious organisms
-urine typically smells like ammonia
A patients pattern of urination
should be assessed in regard to frequency, flow, and amount
-average adult voids 5 to 6 times per day and does not regularly need to void overnight
Urinary Frequency
refers to the sensation of needing to void more than normal but voiding only small amounts of urine each time
-due to bladder inflammation, excessive fluid intake, urinary retention
Nocturia
describes the increased need to urinate at night
-due to heart failure, renal disease, bladder obstruction, consumption of fluids late at night
Dysuria
pain or discomfort with urination
- may indicate an obstruction or infection
- UTI, cystitis (bladder infection)