Question

A nurse is assessing a client who is postoperative following a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and notes clots in the client's indwelling urinary catheter and a decrease in urinary output. Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

a) Increase IV fluid rate
b) Administer diuretics
c) Irrigate the catheter with normal saline
d) Document the findings as normal after TURP.

Answer 1

c) Irrigate the catheter with normal saline. The nurse should irrigate the catheter with normal saline to address the presence of clots and decrease in urinary output.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should take the action of irrigating the catheter with normal saline in response to the presence of clots in the client's indwelling urinary catheter and a decrease in urinary output. This is because clots in the catheter can obstruct the flow of urine, leading to a decrease in urinary output. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline can help to clear any clots or blockages, allowing urine to flow freely.

Increasing the IV fluid rate may be beneficial in some cases, but it is not the most appropriate response in this situation. Administering diuretics would not address the issue of clots in the catheter and may further decrease urinary output. Documenting the findings as normal after TURP would not address the issue or provide appropriate intervention.