A postoperative patient reports lower abdominal pressure and has passed only a few drops of urine in 8 hours. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer: B. Assess the bladder for distension and use a bladder scanner
- A. Encourage the patient to drink two glasses of water
- B. Assess the bladder for distension and use a bladder scanner
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without further assessment
- D. Document the finding as expected after surgery
Explanation
Lower abdominal pressure with scant urine suggests possible urinary retention, so bladder assessment is the priority. A bladder scan provides non-invasive evidence before catheterisation; fluids or immediate catheterisation may be unsafe or unnecessary.
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About Elimination and Catheterisation
Elimination care covers normal bowel and urinary patterns, constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence, retention, enemas, ostomies and specimen collection. Catheterisation includes indications, catheter types, insertion principles, drainage-bag care and prevention of urinary infection, with attention to the difference between urinary retention and incontinence.
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