Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Management: Male Reproductive Conditions Related

Review Lewis's Medical Surgical Nursing in Canada, 5th Edition - Nursing Management: Male Reproductive Conditions related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a patient who had a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and has a continuous bladder irrigation with symptoms of painful bladder spasms. The nurse observes a decrease in urine output and clots in the urine. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?

  • A. Increase the flow rate of the bladder irrigation.
  • B. Administer the prescribed IV morphine sulphate.
  • C. Give the patient the prescribed belladonna and opium suppository.
  • D. Manually instill and then withdraw 50 mL of saline into the catheter.
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The assessment suggests that obstruction by a clot is causing the bladder spasms, and the nurse's first action should be to irrigate the catheter manually and to try to remove the clots. IV morphine will not decrease the spasm, although pain may be reduced. Increasing the flow rate of the irrigation will further distend the bladder and may increase spasms. The belladonna and opium suppository will decrease bladder spasms but will not remove the obstructing blood clot.