Final answer:
Urinary output less than 30 mL/hr is considered inadequate, known as oliguria, and could indicate health issues such as dehydration or renal disease.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nurse is caring for a patient who recently had abdominal surgery. When evaluating the patient's urinary output, the nurse correctly recognizes that urinary output less than 30 mL/hr is considered inadequate. This condition is medically referred to as oliguria, which can be indicative of a variety of health issues such as fever, shock, vomiting, and diarrhoea. The kidneys must produce at least about 500 mL/day to effectively remove wastes. A urine output below this threshold can signal severe dehydration, renal disease, and is a potential area of concern post surgery, warranting further medical assessment and intervention.