Final answer:
The minimum urine output for a client weighing 5.5kg is 5.5 mL/hr, calculated as 1 mL/kg/hr which is a standard measure for ensuring effective excretion of metabolic wastes.
Step-by-step explanation:
The minimum urine output for a client weighing 5.5kg is based on the general guideline that the kidneys must produce a minimum urine volume to rid the body of wastes effectively. In adults, this minimum volume is about 500 mL/day, but for infants and children, urine output is often calculated per kilogram of body weight.
While there isn't an exact number for all clients universally, a commonly accepted minimum urine output for children is approximately 1 mL/kg/hr. Therefore, for a client weighing 5.5kg:
Minimum urine output = 5.5kg * 1 mL/kg/hr = 5.5 mL/hr.
This estimation ensures that the kidneys are functioning to remove metabolic wastes adequately and is an important indicator in assessing kidney health.