Final answer:
The most important intervention for a male client with urinary retention is to assist with intermittent catheterization to immediately relieve bladder distention and reduce the risk of complications.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most important intervention for a male client experiencing urinary retention would be c) Assist with intermittent catheterization. This is because urinary retention can lead to discomfort, bladder distention, and potential infection, and immediate relief of retention is necessary. Intermittent catheterization will help to empty the bladder and reduce risks associated with urinary retention. While encouraging fluid intake and applying a warm compress might help in some cases, they are not immediate solutions to relieve retention. Administering a diuretic could actually exacerbate the situation by increasing urine production when the client is already unable to empty their bladder.
Physical challenges and neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease can impair bladder emptying in elderly individuals, as in the case of Robert, who likely has a urinary tract infection (UTI) stemming from incomplete bladder emptying and other factors like a weakened immune system and previous prostate condition.
Diuretics can increase urine output but in this situation, they are not a suitable intervention as they do not address the immediate issue of urinary retention. Instead, diuretics such as those acting on the loop of Henle are commonly used for conditions like hypertension by inhibiting the reabsorption of electrolytes like Na+ and Cl-.