A 35-year-old female client has returned to her room following surgery on her right femur. She has an IV of D5 1/2 NS infusing at 125 cc/hr, and is receiving morphine sulfate 10-15 mg IM q4h prn for pain. The client last voided 5 1/2 hours ago when she was given her preoperative medication. To monitor and promote the return of urinary function after surgery, the nurse should:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Provision of food and fluids promotes bowel elimination. Postoperative nutritional needs are physician determined, not client determined. Increasing IV fluids postoperatively will not cause a client to void. Any change in the rate of administration of IV fluids is determined by the physician, not the nurse. If the postoperative client with normal kidney function cannot void 8 hours after surgery, the client is retaining urine. The client may need catheterization or medication. The physician will provide orders for either, as necessary. While morphine sulfate can cause urinary retention, withholding pain medication will not ensure that the client will void. The client with uncontrolled pain will probably not be able to void.