*HURST REVIEW Qbank/Customize Quiz - Reduction Risk Exam Already Graded A+

A client has been on the nursing unit for two hours following a retropubic prostatectomy for the treatment of prostate cancer. The client is receiving a continuous bladder irrigation of normal saline infusing at 1000 mL/hr. The client's urine output for the past two hours is 410 mL. What is the nurse's first action? 1. Inspect the catheter tubing for obstruction. 2. Irrigate the catheter with a large piston syringe. 3. Notify the primary healthcare provider. 4. Stop the irrigation flow. 4. Correct: The catheter output should be at least the volume of irrigation input plus the client's actual urine. A severe decrease in output indicates obstruction in the drainage system. The first action is to stop the irrigation flow to prevent further bladder distention. Bladder distention is one of the main causes of haemorrhage in the fresh post op period. 1. Incorrect: The next action is to check the external system for kinks or obstruction to assess if this is the cause of the decreased urine output. Obstruction of the catheter tubing can also cause bladder distention. 2. Incorrect: After the external system is checked for kinks or obstruction, and the client's urine output doesn't change, then the catheter is irrigated with 30 to 50 mL of normal saline using a large piston syringe. However, irrigating a new post-op client is not the safest or first action for the nurse.