Question

A nurse is caring for a client with a spastic bladder following a spinal cord injury. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to help stimulate micturition?

A) Apply a warm compress to the client's abdomen.
B) Encourage the client to drink less fluid throughout the day.
C) Limit bathroom visits to specific times during the day.
D) Assist the client into a seated position for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours.

Answer 1

To assist a client with a spastic bladder due to spinal cord injury, the nurse should help the client sit for urination every few hours and apply a warm compress to stimulate the micturition reflex. Increasing fluid intake rather than decreasing it, and maintaining a regular bladder routine may also be beneficial.

Step-by-step explanation:

To help stimulate micturition for a client with a spastic bladder following a spinal cord injury, a nurse should assist the client into a seated position for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours. This positioning helps to take advantage of gravity and the normal position that most people use when urinating, which can help trigger the reflexive mechanism of the bladder, especially if some control over the external urethral sphincter has been maintained following the injury. Applying a warm compress to the client's abdomen may also aid in relaxing the muscles and stimulating micturition reflex. Encouraging the client to drink more fluids can ensure that the bladder fills adequately to stimulate the micturition reflex, contrary to the concept of drinking less fluid throughout the day. Limiting bathroom visits may not be beneficial, as regular attempts to void can encourage the normal bladder routine.