HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Quizlet Related

Review HESI Medical Surgical Practice Exam Quizlet related questions and content

After checking the urinary drainage system for kinks in the tubing, the nurse determines that a client who has returned from the post-anesthesia care has a dark, concentrated urinary output of 54 ml for the last 2 hours. What priority nursing action should be implemented?

  • A. Report the findings to the surgeon.
  • B. Irrigate the indwelling urinary catheter.
  • C. Apply manual pressure to the bladder.
  • D. Increase the IV flow rate for 15 minutes.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In this situation, the nurse's priority action should be to report the findings to the surgeon. An adult should typically produce about 60 ml of urine per hour, so a dark, concentrated, and low urine output of 54 ml over 2 hours raises concerns. This change in urine output may indicate issues such as dehydration, renal problems, or inadequate fluid intake. Reporting this finding to the surgeon is crucial to ensure appropriate evaluation and intervention. Irrigating the catheter, applying manual pressure to the bladder, or increasing the IV flow rate are not appropriate actions based on the information provided and could potentially worsen the situation.