LPN LPN Urinary and Bowel Elimination 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum acceptable urine output per hour for an adult patient?
- 10 mL/hr
- 20 mL/hr
- 30 mL/hr (Correct answer)
- 50 mL/hr
Correct answer: 30 mL/hr
A urine output of at least 30 mL/hr (approximately 0.5 mL/kg/hr) is considered the minimum acceptable output, indicating adequate renal perfusion.
Question 2: Which assessment finding is most consistent with urinary retention?
- Frequent small voidings of less than 50 mL with a distended bladder (Correct answer)
- Large volumes of bright red urine
- Decreased blood pressure and tachycardia
- Urinary output greater than 200 mL/hr
Correct answer: Frequent small voidings of less than 50 mL with a distended bladder
Urinary retention presents as inability to fully empty the bladder, often with overflow voiding of small amounts and a palpably distended, uncomfortable bladder.
Question 3: When performing urinary catheter insertion, which principle is most critical to prevent urinary tract infection?
- Use a warmed catheter to ease insertion
- Maintain strict sterile technique throughout the procedure (Correct answer)
- Insert the catheter quickly to reduce patient discomfort
- Use a larger catheter size for better urine drainage
Correct answer: Maintain strict sterile technique throughout the procedure
Strict sterile technique during catheter insertion is the most important measure to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs).
Question 4: A patient's urine is dark amber and concentrated. This finding most likely indicates which condition?
- Adequate hydration
- Dehydration and insufficient fluid intake (Correct answer)
- Urinary tract infection
- Renal failure with anuria
Correct answer: Dehydration and insufficient fluid intake
Dark amber, concentrated urine is a classic sign of dehydration; the kidneys conserve water by producing less, more concentrated urine.
Question 5: Which position should the nurse place a female patient in before offering a bedpan?
- Left lateral (Sims') position
- Supine with legs flat
- Semi-Fowler's or sitting upright with head of bed elevated (Correct answer)
- Prone position
Correct answer: Semi-Fowler's or sitting upright with head of bed elevated
Elevating the head of the bed and positioning the patient in a semi-sitting position promotes effective voiding and bowel elimination by using gravity.
Question 6: What is often the first or most atypical sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in an elderly patient?
- Dysuria and burning on urination
- Sudden confusion or change in mental status (Correct answer)
- Fever above 103°F
- Gross hematuria
Correct answer: Sudden confusion or change in mental status
Elderly patients often present with atypical UTI symptoms; acute confusion or change in mental status is frequently the earliest and most prominent sign.
LPN LPN Urinary and Bowel Elimination 1
What is the minimum acceptable urine output per hour for an adult patient?