Question

You are assigned to measure urinary output on Mr. Jones, a resident with a indwelling catheter. To obtain an accurate measurement, you should:

A. record the level of urine according to the markings on the catheter bag
B. empty the catheter bag into the bedpan
C. withdraw urine with a syringe
D. empty the catheter bag into a graduate

Answer 1

To accurately measure Mr. Jones's urinary output with an indwelling catheter, the urine must be emptied from the catheter bag into a graduate and then measured.

Step-by-step explanation:

To obtain an accurate measurement of urinary output on Mr. Jones, who has an indwelling catheter, you should empty the catheter bag into a graduate. This is the standard procedure for measuring urine output accurately. It is important to use a graduate, a measuring container that allows for precise volume readings, and not to estimate the volume based on the bag's markings, which may not be as accurate. After emptying the urine into the graduate, you should record the level according to the specific volume markings on the container.

This process ensures that healthcare providers have an accurate measure of urine output, which is critical for monitoring the patient's renal function and fluid balance. Measuring urine is a form of health monitoring, similar to how a nurse measures blood pressure or a person measures coffee when making a pot.