Urinary Elimination Practice Questions with Correct
answers
1. If obstructed, which component of the urination system would cause
peristaltic waves?
a. Kidney
b. Ureters
c. Bladder
d. Urethra Correct Answer-ANS: B
Ureters drain urine from the kidneys into the bladder; if they become
obstructed, peristaltic waves attempt to push the obstruction
into the bladder. The kidney, bladder, and urethra do not produce
peristaltic waves. Obstruction of both bladder and urethra
typically does not occur.
2. When reviewing laboratory results, the nurse should immediately
notify the health care provider about which finding?
a. Glomerular filtration rate of 20 mL/min
b. Urine output of 80 mL/hr
c. pH of 6.4
d. Protein level of 2 mg/100 mL Correct Answer-ANS: A
Normal glomerular filtration rate should be around 125 mL/min; a
severe decrease in renal perfusion could indicate a
,life-threatening problem such as shock or dehydration. Normal urine
output is 1000 to 2000 mL/day; an output of 30 mL/hr or less
for 2 or more hours would be cause for concern. 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.
3. A patient is experiencing oliguria. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
a. Increase the patient's intravenous fluid rate.
b. Encourage the patient to drink caffeinated beverages.
c. Assess for bladder distention.
d. Request an order for diuretics. Correct Answer-ANS: C
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
4. A patient requests the nurse's assistance to the bedside commode and
becomes frustrated when unable to void in front of the nurse.
, The nurse understands the patient's inability to void because
a. Anxiety can make it difficult for abdominal and perineal muscles to
relax enough
to void.
b. The patient does not recognize the physiological signals that indicate
a need to
void.
c. The patient is lonely, and calling the nurse in under false pretenses is a
way to get
attention.
d. The patient is not drinking enough fluids to produce adequate urine
output. Correct Answer-ANS: A
Attempting to void in the presence of another can cause anxiety and
tension in the muscles that make voiding difficult. The nurse
should give the patient privacy and adequate time if appropriate. No
evidence suggests that an underlying physiological or
psychological condition exists.
5. The nurse knows that indwelling catheters are placed before a
cesarean because
a. The patient may void uncontrollably during the procedure.
b. A full bladder can cause the mother's heart rate to drop.
c. Spinal anesthetics can temporarily disable urethral sphincters.
answers
1. If obstructed, which component of the urination system would cause
peristaltic waves?
a. Kidney
b. Ureters
c. Bladder
d. Urethra Correct Answer-ANS: B
Ureters drain urine from the kidneys into the bladder; if they become
obstructed, peristaltic waves attempt to push the obstruction
into the bladder. The kidney, bladder, and urethra do not produce
peristaltic waves. Obstruction of both bladder and urethra
typically does not occur.
2. When reviewing laboratory results, the nurse should immediately
notify the health care provider about which finding?
a. Glomerular filtration rate of 20 mL/min
b. Urine output of 80 mL/hr
c. pH of 6.4
d. Protein level of 2 mg/100 mL Correct Answer-ANS: A
Normal glomerular filtration rate should be around 125 mL/min; a
severe decrease in renal perfusion could indicate a
,life-threatening problem such as shock or dehydration. Normal urine
output is 1000 to 2000 mL/day; an output of 30 mL/hr or less
for 2 or more hours would be cause for concern. 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.
3. A patient is experiencing oliguria. Which action should the nurse
perform first?
a. Increase the patient's intravenous fluid rate.
b. Encourage the patient to drink caffeinated beverages.
c. Assess for bladder distention.
d. Request an order for diuretics. Correct Answer-ANS: C
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
4. A patient requests the nurse's assistance to the bedside commode and
becomes frustrated when unable to void in front of the nurse.
, The nurse understands the patient's inability to void because
a. Anxiety can make it difficult for abdominal and perineal muscles to
relax enough
to void.
b. The patient does not recognize the physiological signals that indicate
a need to
void.
c. The patient is lonely, and calling the nurse in under false pretenses is a
way to get
attention.
d. The patient is not drinking enough fluids to produce adequate urine
output. Correct Answer-ANS: A
Attempting to void in the presence of another can cause anxiety and
tension in the muscles that make voiding difficult. The nurse
should give the patient privacy and adequate time if appropriate. No
evidence suggests that an underlying physiological or
psychological condition exists.
5. The nurse knows that indwelling catheters are placed before a
cesarean because
a. The patient may void uncontrollably during the procedure.
b. A full bladder can cause the mother's heart rate to drop.
c. Spinal anesthetics can temporarily disable urethral sphincters.
