Final answer:
Normal urine output is considered to be 1 to 2 liters per day, which is the amount produced after filtration and reabsorption processes in the kidneys. Outputs below 500 mL/day or excessively high outputs could indicate underlying health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
A normal urine output is considered to be 1 to 2 liters per day. The kidneys work to excrete metabolic wastes and maintain fluid balance. They produce a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) that, after reabsorption, results in about 1-2 liters of urine each day. Urine output below 500 mL/day is termed oliguria and can indicate dehydration or renal disease, while virtually no urine production is known as anuria. Conversely, excessive urine production, known as polyuria, can occur in conditions such as diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus. In both cases, the mechanisms for reabsorbing water in the kidneys are impaired, leading to greater urine output. It is critical that the body maintains this balance to ensure that excess salts and soluble wastes are effectively removed from the body.