HESI Fundamentals Exam Related

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After abdominal surgery, a client has not urinated since the urinary catheter was removed 8 hours ago. What action should the LPN take first?

  • A. Perform a bladder scan to assess for urinary retention.
  • B. Encourage the client to drink fluids.
  • C. Insert a straight catheter to drain the bladder.
  • D. Administer a diuretic as prescribed.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Performing a bladder scan is the initial step to assess for urinary retention in a postoperative client. This non-invasive technique helps determine the volume of urine in the bladder, guiding further interventions. Encouraging the client to drink fluids (Choice B) may be beneficial but is not the priority when assessing for urinary retention. Inserting a straight catheter (Choice C) should not be the initial action without first assessing for retention. Administering a diuretic (Choice D) should not be done without confirming the need through assessment.