Urinary Elimination

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts related to urinary elimination, including anatomy, procedures, medications, and diagnostic tests.

Micturition

The physiological process of emptying the bladder.

Urinalysis (UA)

A common diagnostic test used to screen and diagnose conditions related to the urinary tract.

Urinary Incontinence

The involuntary loss of urine.

Catheter

A tube used to drain fluids from the body or to deliver fluids into the body.

Foley Catheter

A type of indwelling catheter that is inserted into the bladder to continuously drain urine.

Clean Catch Specimen

A urine sample collected midstream to minimize contamination; important for accurate testing.

Bladder

A muscular sac that holds urine until it is ready to be excreted.

Urinary Retention

The inability to empty the bladder completely.

Specific Gravity

A measure of urine concentration; reflects the kidney's ability to concentrate urine.

Oxybutynin

An anticholinergic medication used to relieve urinary urgency and frequency.

Tamsulosin

A medication used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing prostate smooth muscle.

Phenazopyridine

A urinary analgesic that provides symptomatic relief from pain and burning.

Urethra

The duct through which urine is discharged from the bladder.

Nephrostomy

A surgical procedure that creates an opening in the abdomen to drain urine directly from the kidney.

24-Hour Urine Specimen

A timed collection of all urine produced in a 24-hour period for quantitative analysis.

CAUTI

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, an infection caused by the insertion of a catheter.

A 65-year-old male client reports difficulty initiating urination, a weak stream, and frequent nighttime urination. The nurse recognizes these symptoms are most consistent with an issue related to:

A. Micturition

A nurse is reviewing a client's chart and notes an order for a 'UA with C&S'. The nurse understands that this diagnostic test is primarily used to:

B. Screen for and diagnose urinary tract conditions

A client with a history of multiple sclerosis reports involuntary leakage of urine when coughing or laughing. The nurse would document this finding as:

C. Urinary Incontinence

Which of the following interventions would be most appropriate for a client diagnosed with stress incontinence?

D. Teaching Kegel exercises

A nurse is preparing to insert a straight catheter for a client who is experiencing urinary retention. The primary reason for using a straight catheter over an indwelling catheter in this scenario is:

A. To drain the bladder once and then remove the catheter

A client has an indwelling Foley catheter. The nurse is aware that the most serious complication associated with long-term catheterization is:

B. Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

Which of the following is a crucial step when collecting a 'Clean Catch Specimen' to ensure accurate results?

C. Instructing the client to void a small amount, stop, then collect the midstream urine

A nurse is educating a client about the function of the urinary system. The nurse explains that the muscular sac responsible for holding urine until it is ready to be excreted is the:

D. Bladder

A client presents with abdominal distension and reports an inability to urinate for several hours despite feeling the urge. The nurse assesses for signs of:

A. Urinary Retention

Which intervention would the nurse anticipate for a client experiencing acute urinary retention?

B. Insertion of a urinary catheter

A client's urinalysis report shows a specific gravity of 1.035. The nurse understands that this finding indicates:

C. Concentrated urine, possibly due to dehydration

A client with a urinary tract infection has ordered Specific Gravity testing. A normal range for specific gravity is typically:

D. 1.005 - 1.030

A client is prescribed Oxybutynin. The nurse should educate the client that this medication is primarily used to relieve:

A. Urinary urgency and frequency

When teaching a client about Oxybutynin, the nurse should advise the client that common side effects may include:

B. Dry mouth and constipation

A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is prescribed Tamsulosin. The nurse explains that this medication helps to improve urine flow by:

C. Relaxing smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck

Before administering Tamsulosin, the nurse should assess the client for a history of:

D. Orthostatic hypotension

A client with cystitis is prescribed Phenazopyridine. The nurse should include which of the following in the client's teaching plan?

A. Urine will turn a reddish-orange color

Phenazopyridine is a urinary analgesic. Its primary action is to:

B. Provide symptomatic relief from pain and burning

The nurse is explaining the urinary system to a client. The tube through which urine is discharged from the bladder to the outside of the body is known as the:

C. Urethra

A client requires continuous urine drainage directly from the kidney due to an obstruction. The nurse anticipates that the client will undergo a:

D. Nephrostomy

Following a nephrostomy procedure, the nurse's priority assessment would be:

A. Patency of the nephrostomy tube and urine output

A client is instructed to collect a '24-Hour Urine Specimen'. The nurse should advise the client to:

B. Discard the first voiding and then collect all subsequent urine for 24 hours

The primary purpose of collecting a 24-hour urine specimen is to:

C. Quantitatively analyze urine components over a specific period

A nurse is caring for a client with a Foley catheter. To prevent a CAUTI, the nurse should:

D. Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder

Which finding in a client with a Foley catheter would indicate a possible CAUTI?

A. Cloudy urine with a strong odor and fever

A client receiving general anesthesia returns to the unit and is unable to void. The nurse identifies this as a potential for:

B. Urinary Retention

When assessing a client for urinary incontinence, which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask?

C. 'Do you ever leak urine when you cough, sneeze, or laugh?'

A nurse is preparing a client for a 'Clean Catch Specimen' collection. The nurse provides instructions on proper perineal cleaning primarily to:

D. Minimize contamination of the urine sample

The physician orders 'Urinalysis (UA)' for a client with new onset flank pain. This test will help the healthcare team to:

A. Identify the presence of blood, protein, or infection in the urine

A client calls the clinic reporting severe burning and pain during urination. The nurse anticipates an order for a medication like:

B. Phenazopyridine

Which medication is an anticholinergic used for overactive bladder symptoms?

C. Oxybutynin

A nurse is providing care for a client with a Nephrostomy tube. The nurse observes that there is no urine drainage from the tube for 2 hours. What is the nurse's priority action?

D. Assess for kinks in the tubing and notify the physician

A client is learning about the process of 'Micturition'. The nurse explains that this process is largely controlled by:

A. The nervous system and relaxation of the external urethral sphincter

A client undergoing prostate surgery is likely to have an indwelling urinary 'Catheter' for a period post-operatively to:

B. Ensure continuous drainage and allow the surgical site to heal

When educating a male client about 'Tamsulosin', the nurse should warn about which potential adverse effect?

C. Retrograde ejaculation

A nurse is reviewing a client’s labs and notes a low urine 'Specific Gravity'. This could indicate:

D. Overhydration or impaired kidney concentrating ability

To prevent 'CAUTI' in a client with a 'Foley Catheter', the nurse should secure the catheter tubing to the client's leg to:

A. Prevent urethral irritation and dislodgement

A client is scheduled for a '24-Hour Urine Specimen' collection. The best initial action by the nurse is to:

B. Provide a precise start time and discard the first void

Which part of the urinary system connects the bladder to the outside and functions in both urine elimination and semen transport in males?

C. Urethra

A client with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is experiencing 'Urinary Retention'. Before a catheterization, the nurse might try which non-invasive intervention first?

D. Applying warm compress to the lower abdomen