Question

After undergoing a transurethral resection of the prostate to treat benign prostatic hypertrophy, a patient is returned to the room with continuous bladder irrigation in place. One day later, the patient reports bladder pain. What should the nurse do first?

1) Increase the I.V. flow rate
2) Administer meperidine (Demerol) as prescribed
3) Assess the irrigation catheter for patency and drainage
4) Notify the doctor immediately

Answer 1

The first action a nurse should take when a patient reports bladder pain after TURP is to assess the irrigation catheter for patency and drainage. This check is prioritized over other interventions like administering pain medication or increasing I.V. flow rate.

Step-by-step explanation:

Addressing Patient Discomfort after Transurethral Resection of the Prostate:

When a patient reports bladder pain a day after undergoing a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with continuous bladder irrigation, the first action a nurse should take is to assess the irrigation catheter for patency and drainage. This step is necessary because a blocked or malfunctioning catheter could cause discomfort and would need to be addressed promptly to ensure proper healing and to prevent complications. If the catheter is patent and drainage is adequate, then it would be appropriate to consider other interventions, such as adjusting the I.V. flow rate or administering pain medication. However, assessing the patency of the catheter should be the first action.

Bladder pain could indicate a bladder spasm or that the catheter has become blocked, leading to discomfort and potential urinary retention. This is why physical assessment is prioritized over medication administration or alerting the physician. If the nurse finds that the catheter is blocked and is unable to resolve the issue, or if the patient's pain is unmanageable despite a patent catheter, then it would be appropriate to notify the doctor for further evaluation and intervention.