Question

A nurse is caring for a client who had a nephrostomy tube inserted 12 hours ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse report to the provider?

A) Pink-tinged urine in the drainage bag.
B) Absence of urine output from the tube.
C) Mild discomfort at the insertion site.
D) Clear drainage from the nephrostomy tube.

Answer 1

The most concerning finding to report is the absence of urine output from the nephrostomy tube, which could indicate a blockage or malfunction and requires urgent medical attention (option B).

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client with a nephrostomy tube, a nurse should report certain findings to the provider. In this case, the most concerning finding that should be reported immediately is the absence of urine output from the tube. This could indicate a blockage or malfunction of the nephrostomy tube and requires urgent attention to prevent damage to the kidney.

Mild discomfort at the insertion site and pink-tinged urine can be expected initially post-procedure, while clear drainage from the nephrostomy tube is a normal finding. Urinalysis provides useful clues to renal health. A normal urinary output is essential to clear metabolic waste, and significant deviations from normal urine characteristics, like anuria, could suggest renal impairment or failure.

Hence, the answer is option B.