LPN LPN Urinary and Bowel Elimination 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How frequently should a urinary catheter drainage bag be emptied to prevent infection and maintain accurate output measurement?
- Every 8 hours or when the bag is two-thirds to three-quarters full (Correct answer)
- Only when completely full
- Every 30 minutes regardless of volume
- Once per day at the end of the shift
Correct answer: Every 8 hours or when the bag is two-thirds to three-quarters full
The catheter drainage bag should be emptied at least every 8 hours or when two-thirds to three-quarters full to prevent backflow and maintain accurate intake and output records.
Question 2: Which dietary factor most commonly contributes to constipation?
- High fluid intake
- High-fiber diet with fruits and vegetables
- Low-fiber diet with insufficient fluids (Correct answer)
- High protein intake
Correct answer: Low-fiber diet with insufficient fluids
A diet low in fiber and fluids reduces stool bulk and slows peristalsis, leading to constipation and difficulty passing stool.
Question 3: What is the purpose of collecting a clean-catch midstream urine specimen?
- To measure the total volume of urine produced in 24 hours
- To obtain an uncontaminated sample for culture and sensitivity testing (Correct answer)
- To test urine for glucose and ketones only
- To assess kidney function via creatinine clearance
Correct answer: To obtain an uncontaminated sample for culture and sensitivity testing
A clean-catch midstream urine specimen minimizes contamination from perineal flora, providing an accurate sample for urinalysis and urine culture and sensitivity testing.
Question 4: A patient has not had a bowel movement in 3 days and reports mild discomfort. What is the most appropriate initial nursing intervention?
- Administer a Fleet enema immediately
- Encourage increased fluid intake and ambulation if tolerated (Correct answer)
- Insert a rectal suppository without a physician order
- Restrict dietary intake to clear liquids
Correct answer: Encourage increased fluid intake and ambulation if tolerated
Increasing fluid intake and encouraging ambulation stimulates peristalsis naturally and is the appropriate first-line nursing intervention before pharmacological measures.
Question 5: Which urine output finding requires immediate reporting to the RN or physician?
- Urine output of 50 mL over the last hour
- No urine output for the past 2 hours in a catheterized patient (Correct answer)
- Urine that appears pale yellow
- Urine output of 1,800 mL in 24 hours
Correct answer: No urine output for the past 2 hours in a catheterized patient
Anuria (no urine output) in a catheterized patient for 2 hours may indicate catheter obstruction, renal failure, or hemodynamic compromise and requires immediate assessment.
Question 6: During urinary catheter insertion, the catheter touches a non-sterile surface and becomes contaminated. What should the nurse do?
- Continue with the insertion since the contamination was minor
- Wipe the catheter with an alcohol swab and continue
- Discard the contaminated catheter and obtain a new sterile catheter (Correct answer)
- Flush the catheter with sterile saline before inserting
Correct answer: Discard the contaminated catheter and obtain a new sterile catheter
Any break in sterile technique requires discarding the contaminated catheter and using a new sterile catheter to prevent introducing bacteria into the bladder.
LPN LPN Urinary and Bowel Elimination 2
How frequently should a urinary catheter drainage bag be emptied to prevent infection and maintain accurate output measurement?