Question

The nurse cares for a patient 24 hours after delivery, and the patient states that she has been voiding large amounts of urine. Which of the following responses by the nurse is BEST?

- You probably have a UTI
- Your body is getting rid of the increased fluid
- You must be drinking copious amounts of fluid
- Your blood sugar is probably elevated.

Answer 1

Postpartum diuresis, where the body excretes excess fluid after delivery, is a normal process. Explanations around UTIs, fluid intake, or elevated blood sugar are less likely without other symptoms to suggest these conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The best response by the nurse to a patient who is voiding large amounts of urine 24 hours after delivery would be to explain that this is a normal physiological process where the body is getting rid of the increased fluid that accumulated during pregnancy. After childbirth, the blood volume that increased to support the pregnancy is no longer needed, and the kidneys work to excrete this excess fluid. Additionally, the pressure from the uterus on the bladder during pregnancy can lead to frequent urination, and this may continue for a little while after delivery as the body returns to its pre-pregnancy state.