HESI RN CAT Exam Quizlet Related

Review HESI RN CAT Exam Quizlet related questions and content

A client who is 12-hours post-op following a left hip replacement has an indwelling urinary catheter. The nurse determines that the client's urinary output is 60 ml in the past 3 hours. What action should the nurse take first?

  • A. Assess the client's vital signs
  • B. Irrigate the catheter with 30 ml of sterile normal saline
  • C. Notify the healthcare provider
  • D. Replace the catheter with a larger size
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In a client post-op with low urinary output, the first action the nurse should take is to assess the client's vital signs. Vital signs can provide valuable information about the client's overall condition, fluid status, and potential complications. Assessing the vital signs can help the nurse to determine if the low urine output is indicative of a larger issue that needs immediate attention. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline may be necessary but should not be the first action without assessing the client. Notifying the healthcare provider should follow assessment if there are concerns. Replacing the catheter with a larger size is not indicated solely based on low urinary output and should not be the first action taken.