Six hours after surgery, a patient has suprapubic fullness, discomfort and has been unable to void. Which action should the nurse take first?
Correct answer: B. Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan
- A. Encourage the patient to drink two litres quickly
- B. Assess for bladder distention and check the prescribed plan
- C. Insert an indwelling catheter without an order
- D. Document the finding as an expected response
Explanation
Anaesthesia, opioids and immobility can cause postoperative urinary retention. The nurse should first assess bladder distention, often with a bladder scan, and then follow the prescribed intermittent catheterization or review plan.
Report an error
The more specific you are, the faster it gets fixed. A source beats an opinion.
Prefer email? support@testustad.com
About Perioperative Nursing
Covers preoperative assessment, informed consent, surgical preparation, anaesthesia, intraoperative safety and postoperative recovery. It includes sterile technique, surgical positioning, wound and drain care, pain and nausea management, fluid balance, prevention of infection and recognition of complications such as haemorrhage, atelectasis and shock.
Practise Perioperative Nursing
50 free Perioperative Nursing MCQs from Medical Surgical Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.
Discussion
Stuck on an option, or know a faster way to get there? Ask or explain it here.
No comments yet. Be the first to explain this one.
Exams that ask Medical Surgical Nursing questions like this
Medical Surgical Nursing is on 8 papers prepared for on TestUstad, and all of them draw the same bank, so this question is worth knowing for every one of them.
More Perioperative Nursing questions
A patient in the postanaesthesia care unit has a temperature of 35.4°C, shivering and cool skin. Which intervention is most appropriate?
During infiltration of a local anaesthetic, a patient reports ringing in the ears and a metallic taste, then becomes restless. Which action should the nurse take first?
A gallbladder specimen is removed during surgery. Which action is correct when sending it to the laboratory?
On the second day after abdominal surgery, a patient develops increasing abdominal distention, repeated vomiting and no passage of flatus. Which finding should the nurse report promptly?
A patient vomits while still drowsy after general anaesthesia. Which action should the nurse take first?
Which postoperative intervention best promotes healing of a clean surgical incision?