Author Question: A patient is experiencing oliguria. Which action should the nurse perform first? a. Assess for ... (Read 108 times)

Awilson837 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A patient is experiencing oliguria. Which action should the nurse perform first?

a. Assess for bladder distention.
b. Request an order for diuretics.
c. Increase the patient's intravenous fluid rate.
d. Encourage the patient to drink caffeinated beverages.

Question 2

A nurse is reviewing urinary laboratory results. Which finding will cause the nurse to follow up?

a. Protein level of 2 mg/100 mL
b. Urine output of 80 mL/hr
c. Specific gravity of 1.036
d. pH of 6.4

tdewitt · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Oliguria is diminished urinary output in relation to fluid intake. The nurse first should gather all assessment data to determine the potential cause of oliguria. It could be that the patient does not have adequate intake, or it could be that the bladder sphincter is not functioning and the patient is retaining water. Increasing fluids is effective if the patient does not have adequate intake or if dehydration occurs. Caffeine can work as a diuretic but is not helpful if an underlying pathology is present. An order for diuretics can be obtained if the patient was retaining water, but this should not be the first action.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: C
Dehydration, reduced renal blood flow, and increase in antidiuretic hormone secretion elevate specific gravity. Normal specific gravity is 1.0053 to 1.030. An output of 30 mL/hr or less for 2 or more hours would be cause for concern; 80 mL/hr is normal. The normal pH of urine is between 4.6 and 8.0. Protein up to 8 mg/100 mL is acceptable; however, values in excess of this could indicate renal disease.