Chapter 46 Urinary Elimination Fundamentals of Nursing 11th Edition (Potter & Perry) 50 NCLEX-Style Exam Questions with Detailed Rationales

1. A nurse is educating a patient about normal urinary output. Which statement by the patient indicates understanding? A. “I should urinate about 100 mL per day.” B. “Normal urine output is at least 30 mL per hour.” C. “As long as I void once a day, it’s okay.” D. “Urine output depends only on how much I eat.” Correct Answer: B Rationale: Normal urinary output is approximately 30 mL/hour or 720 mL/day. Less than this may indicate impaired kidney function. ________________________________________ 2. Which patient is most at risk for developing urinary retention? A. A 21-year-old female on oral contraceptives B. A 40-year-old with a history of frequent urinary tract infections C. A 68-year-old male with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) D. A 55-year-old postoperative female with IV fluids Correct Answer: C Rationale: BPH in older males can obstruct urine flow, leading to urinary retention. ________________________________________ 3. A nurse is teaching a female patient how to prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Which statement requires correction? A. “I will wipe from front to back.” B. “I will drink at least 8 glasses of water daily.” C. “I will take bubble baths every evening.” D. “I will void after sexual intercourse.” Correct Answer: C Rationale: Bubble baths can irritate the urethra and increase the risk of UTIs, especially in females. ________________________________________ 4. A patient reports urinary frequency and burning. Which of the following is the most appropriate nursing action? A. Encourage fluid restriction B. Perform a bladder scan C. Collect a clean-catch urine specimen D. Instruct the patient to hold urine to avoid accidents Correct Answer: C Rationale: A clean-catch urine specimen is necessary to evaluate for a UTI. ________________________________________ 5. Which is a normal characteristic of urine in a healthy adult? A. Cloudy with a strong ammonia odor B. Pale yellow, clear, and slightly aromatic C. Dark brown with visible sediment D. Red-tinged with protein present Correct Answer: B Rationale: Healthy urine is clear, pale yellow, and has a mild odor. Cloudiness or discoloration may indicate pathology. ________________________________________ 6. What is the best method to assess residual urine volume in a patient with suspected retention? A. Manual palpation of the abdomen B. Straight catheterization C. Monitoring fluid intake D. Bedside bladder scan Correct Answer: D Rationale: A non-invasive bladder scan is the most appropriate initial method to assess post-void residual volume. ________________________________________ 7. A nurse is caring for a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which intervention helps reduce the risk of infection? A. Irrigate the catheter every 4 hours B. Clamp the catheter at night C. Keep the drainage bag below bladder level D. Disconnect the drainage bag to empty it Correct Answer: C Rationale: Keeping the bag below bladder level promotes gravity drainage and reduces the risk of backflow and infection. ________________________________________ 8. A patient is incontinent of urine. What is the nurse’s priority action? A. Limit oral fluids B. Place an indwelling catheter C. Implement a bladder training program D. Encourage use of adult diapers without a toileting schedule Correct Answer: C Rationale: Bladder training promotes continence and is preferred over invasive catheterization unless medically necessary. ________________________________________ 9. Which nursing diagnosis is most appropriate for a patient with urge incontinence? A. Risk for infection B. Impaired skin integrity C. Functional urinary incontinence D. Readiness for enhanced elimination Correct Answer: B Rationale: Frequent incontinence episodes can lead to skin breakdown, especially in immobile or dependent patients.