Question

To prevent urinary stasis and infection, what should the nurse do and teach?

a) Avoid any fluid intake for a few hours each day
b) Teach the patient to hold urine to increase bladder capacity
c) Promote regular and complete bladder emptying
d) Encourage minimal fluid intake throughout the day

Answer 1

To prevent urinary stasis and infection, nurses should teach patients to drink enough fluids and to regularly and completely empty their bladders. They should not encourage patients to avoid fluid intake or to hold their urine, as these practices can increase infection risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

To prevent urinary stasis and infection, the nurse should promote regular and complete bladder emptying. It is important to encourage patients to drink enough water to produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day to ensure that the urinary system is flushed regularly. Complete emptying of the bladder helps in reducing the risk of infection. As part of patient education, the nurse should emphasize the importance of not holding urine for extended periods which can expand the bladder capacity but may also increase the risk of urinary stasis and subsequent infections. Additionally regular urination can help to maintain osmotic balance between waste matter and bodily fluids.

Prevention and Education Strategies:

• Drink adequate fluids throughout the day.
• Avoid holding urine for too long.
• Monitor for signs of urinary tract infections, especially in elderly or individuals with neurologic conditions like Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease.

Note that the incorrect options (a) and (b) would actually increase the risk of urinary stasis and infection. The nurse should not teach a patient to avoid fluid intake or to hold their urine. Instead strategies for preventing urinary stasis and promoting kidney health need to be implemented.