Chapters 46 & 41 Flashcards
(136 cards)
What is urinary elimination?
The processes involved in the formation, storage, and excretion of urine.
What are the key importance of urinary elimination in nursing practice?
- Preventing complications such as UTIs
- Maintaining patient comfort, dignity, and quality of life
- Using effective assessment, intervention, and education strategies
What are the main structures involved in the urinary system?
- Kidneys
- Ureters
- Bladder
- Urethra
What are the functions of the kidneys?
- Filter blood to remove waste and excess water
- Maintain electrolyte balance
- Regulate acid-base status
- Secrete hormones such as erythropoietin and renin
What is the functional unit of the kidney?
Nephron
What is the role of the ureters?
Muscular tubes that propel urine from the kidneys to the bladder via peristaltic waves.
What is the function of the bladder?
A hollow, distensible, muscular organ that stores urine.
What happens during micturition?
The detrusor muscle of the bladder contracts and the urethra relaxes.
How long is the male urethra compared to the female urethra?
Male: approximately 8 inches; Female: 1.5–2 inches.
What is glomerular filtration?
The process where blood plasma is filtered through the glomeruli, producing about 125 mL/min of filtrate.
What factors affect the glomerular filtration rate?
- Blood pressure
- Capillary permeability
What percentage of filtrate is reabsorbed in the renal tubules?
Approximately 99%
What is the role of Antidiuretic Hormone (ADH)?
Increases water reabsorption, raising urine concentration.
What does aldosterone do?
Promotes sodium (and thus water) reabsorption, affecting blood volume and pressure.
What subjective data should be collected during a urinary elimination assessment?
- Voiding patterns
- Symptom inquiry
- Medication and fluid intake history
What are some signs to look for during a physical examination of urinary elimination?
- Bladder distention or tenderness
- Perineal skin for irritation or breakdown
What is a bladder scan used for?
A noninvasive measurement of postvoid residual volume.
What does urinalysis examine?
- Urine color
- Clarity
- pH
- Specific gravity
- Presence of protein, glucose, bacteria, or casts
What does an abnormal specific gravity indicate?
Possible dehydration or renal pathology.
What are the aseptic techniques for preventing UTIs?
- Use sterile technique during catheter insertion
- Proper specimen collection
What are some strategies for managing urinary retention?
- Assess for bladder distention
- Use bladder scans or straight catheterization
- Assist patients to a proper voiding position
What types of urinary incontinence are there?
- Stress incontinence
- Urge incontinence
- Overflow incontinence
What are some management strategies for urinary incontinence?
- Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises
- Scheduled voiding
- Environmental modifications
What is the proper procedure for indwelling catheter insertion?
Cleanse the urethral meatus using circular strokes with each cotton swab used only once.