Chapter 16: The Urinary System

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary related to the urinary system, urine collection methods, catheter types, and associated clinical terms from Chapter 16.

24-hour urine specimen

All urine voided by a person over a full 24-hour period, collected for diagnostic testing.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)

An infection of the urethra, bladder, ureter, or kidney that develops when bacteria travel up a urinary catheter.

Clean-catch (midstream) specimen

A urine sample that excludes the first and last portions of the stream to reduce contamination.

Condom catheter (external/Texas catheter)

A urine drainage device that fits over the penis like a condom and connects to tubing and a collection bag.

Dialysis

A medical process that removes waste products from the blood when the kidneys can no longer do so adequately.

Indwelling catheter

A urinary catheter that stays inside the bladder for an extended time, draining urine continuously into a collection bag.

Ketones

Chemical substances produced when the body breaks down fat because it lacks enough insulin to use glucose effectively.

Micturition (urination/voiding)

The process of emptying the bladder of urine.

Renal calculi (kidney stones)

Solid mineral deposits that form in the kidneys and can obstruct urine flow.

Routine urine specimen

A urine sample collected at any time the person voids, without special preparation.

Specific gravity (urine)

A laboratory measure indicating the density or concentration of urine compared with water.

Sphincter

A ring-shaped muscle that opens and closes a bodily passageway or opening.

Straight catheter

A catheter inserted to drain or collect urine and then removed immediately afterward; it does not remain in the bladder.

Urinary incontinence

The involuntary loss of urine due to inability to control the bladder.

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

An infection that can occur in the urethra, bladder, ureter, or kidneys.

Voiding (urination/micturition)

Another term for emptying the bladder of urine.

Kidneys

Bean-shaped organs located slightly above the waist that filter blood, remove waste, and produce urine.

Ureters

Two narrow tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the urinary bladder.

Urinary bladder

A muscular sac that stores urine until it is excreted from the body.

Urethra

The tube through which urine passes from the bladder to the outside of the body.

Meatus

The external opening of the urethra through which urine exits the body.