Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Perioperative Care Related

Review Timby's Introductory Medical-Surgical Nursing Thirteenth, North American Edition - Perioperative Care related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client 6 hours post surgery. The nurse observes that the client voids urine frequently and in small amounts. The nurse knows that this most probably indicates what?

  • A. Requirement of intermittent catheterization
  • B. Calculus formation
  • C. Urine retention
  • D. Urinary infection
Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Voiding frequent, small amounts of urine indicates retention of urine with elimination of overflow. The nurse should assess the volume of first voided urine to determine adequacy of output. If the client fails to void within 8 hours of surgery, the nurse should consult with the physician regarding instituting intermittent catheterization until voluntary voiding returns and is not required in this case. Frequent and small amounts of urine voiding does not indicate urinary infection nor does it indicate the formation of a calculus.