Renal and urinary problems – Flashcards
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You are providing nursing care for a 24-year-old female patient admitted to the unit with a diagnosis of cystitis. Which intervention should you delegate to the UAP? 1. Teaching the patient how to secure a clean-catch urine sample 2. Assessing the patient's urine for color, odor, and sediment 3. Reviewing the nursing care plan and add nursing interventions 4. Providing the patient with a clean-catch urine sample container
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Ans: 4 Providing the equipment that the patient needs to collect the urine sample is within the scope of practice of a UAP. Teaching, planning, and assessing all require additional education and skill, which is appropriate to the scope of practice of professional nurses. Focus: Delegation, supervision
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Which laboratory result is of most concern to you for an adult patient with cystitis? 1. Serum white blood cell (WBC) count of 9000/mm3 2. Urinalysis results showing 1 or 2 WBCs present 3. Urine bacteria count of 100,000 colonies per milliliter 4. Serum hematocrit of 36%
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Ans: 3 The presence of 100,000 bacterial colonies per milliliter of urine or the presence of many white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) indicates a urinary tract infection. The WBC count is within normal limits and the hematocrit is a little low, which may need follow-up. Neither of these results indicates infection. Focus: Prioritization
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As charge nurse, you would assign the nursing care of which patient to an LPN/LVN, working under the supervision of an RN? 1. 48-year-old with cystitis who is taking oral antibiotics 2. 64-year-old with kidney stones who has a new order for lithotripsy 3. 72-year-old with urinary incontinence who needs bladder training 4. 52-year-old with pyelonephritis who has severe acute flank pain
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Ans: 1 The patient with cystitis who is taking oral antibiotics is in stable condition with predictable outcomes, and caring for this patient is therefore appropriate to the scope of practice of an LPN/LVN under the supervision of an RN. The patient with a new order for lithotripsy will need teaching about the procedure, which should be accomplished by the RN. The patient in need of bladder training will need the RN to plan this intervention. The patient with flank pain needs careful and skilled assessment by the RN. Focus: Assignment
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You are admitting a 66-year-old male patient suspected of having a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which piece of the patient's medical history supports this diagnosis? 1. Patient's wife had a UTI 1 month ago 2. Followed for prostate disease for 2 years 3. Intermittent catheterization 6 months ago 4. Kidney stone removal 1 year ago
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Ans: 2 Prostate disease increases the risk of UTIs in men because of urinary retention. The wife's UTI should not affect the patient. The times of the catheter usage and kidney stone removal are too distant to cause this UTI. Focus: Prioritization
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A patient is being admitted to rule out interstitial cystitis. What should your plan of care for this patient include? 1. Take daily urine samples for urinalysis. 2. Maintain accurate intake and output records. 3. Obtain an admission urine sample to determine electrolyte levels. 4. Teach the patient about the cystoscopy procedure.
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Ans: 4 A cystoscopy is needed to accurately diagnose interstitial cystitis. Urinalysis may show WBCs and RBCs, but no bacteria. The patient will probably need a urinalysis upon admission, but daily samples do not need to be obtained. Intake and output may be assessed, but results will not contribute to the diagnosis. Cystitis does not usually affect urine electrolyte levels. Focus: Prioritization
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You are supervising a new RN graduate who is on orientation to the unit. The new RN asks you why the patient with uncomplicated cystitis is being discharged with orders for ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 250 mg twice a day for only 3 days. What is your best response? 1. "We should check with the physician, because the patient should take this drug for 10 to 14 days." 2. "A 3-day course of ciprofloxacin is not the appropriate treatment for a patient with uncomplicated cystitis." 3. "Research has shown that, with a 3-day course of ciprofloxacin, there is increased patient adherence to the plan of care." 4. "Longer courses of antibiotic therapy are required for hospitalized patients to prevent nosocomial infections."
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Ans: 3 For uncomplicated cystitis, a 3-day course of antibiotics is an effective treatment, and research has shown that patients are more likely to adhere to shorter antibiotic courses. Seven-day courses of antibiotics are appropriate for complicated cystitis, and 10- to 14-day courses are prescribed for uncomplicated pyelonephritis. This patient is being discharged and should not be at risk for a nosocomial infection. Focus: Prioritization, supervision
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A 28-year-old married female patient with cystitis requires instruction about how to prevent future UTIs, and you have delegated this teaching to a newly-graduated RN. Which statement by the new nurse requires that you intervene? 1. "You should always drink 1 to 3 L of fluid every day." 2. "Empty your bladder regularly even if you do not feel the urge to urinate." 3. "Drinking cranberry juice daily will decrease the number of bacteria in your bladder." 4. "It's okay to soak in the tub with bubble bath because it will keep you clean."
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Ans: 4 Women should avoid irritating substances such as bubble bath, nylon underwear, and scented toilet tissue to prevent UTIs. Adequate fluid intake, consumption of cranberry juice, and regular voiding are all good strategies for preventing UTIs. Focus: Delegation, supervision, prioritization
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You are creating a nursing care plan for older adult patients with incontinence. For which patient will a bladder-training program be an appropriate intervention? 1. Patient with functional incontinence caused by mental status changes 2. Patient with stress incontinence due to weakened bladder neck support 3. Patient with urge incontinence and abnormal detrusor muscle contractions 4. Patient with transient incontinence related to loss of cognitive function
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Ans: 3 A patient with urge incontinence can be taught to control the bladder as long as the patient is alert, aware, and able to resist the urge to urinate by starting a schedule for voiding, then increasing the intervals between voids. Patients with functional incontinence related to mental status changes or loss of cognitive function will not be able to follow a bladder-training program. A better treatment for a patient with stress incontinence is exercises such as pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles. Focus: Prioritization
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A patient with incontinence will be taking oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan) 5 mg by mouth three times a day after discharge. Which information would you be sure to teach this patient before discharge? 1. "Drink fluids or use hard candy when you experience a dry mouth." 2. "Be sure to notify your physician if you experience a dry mouth." 3. "If necessary, your physician can increase your dose up to 40 mg/day." 4. "You should take this medication with meals to avoid stomach ulcers."
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Ans: 1 Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic agent, and these drugs often cause an extremely dry mouth. The maximum dosage is 20 mg/day. Oxybutynin should be taken between meals, because food interferes with absorption of the drug. Focus: Prioritization
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You are providing care for a patient with reflex urinary incontinence. Which action could be appropriately delegated to a new LPN/LVN? 1. Teaching the patient bladder emptying by the Credé method 2. Demonstrating how to perform intermittent self-catheterization 3. Discussing the side effects of bethanechol chloride (Urecholine) 4. Reinforcing the importance of proper hand washing to prevent infection
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Ans: 4 Teaching about bladder emptying, self-catheterization, and medications requires additional knowledge and training and is appropriate to the scope of practice of the RN. The LPN/LVN can reinforce information that has already been taught to the patient. Focus: Delegation, supervision
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A patient has urolithiasis and is passing the stones into the lower urinary tract. What is the priority nursing diagnosis for the patient at this time? 1. Acute Pain 2. Risk for Infection 3. Risk for Injury 4. Anxiety related to the risk for recurrent stones
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Ans: 1 When patients with urolithiasis pass stones, they can be in excruciating pain for up to 24 to 36 hours. All of the other nursing diagnoses for this patient are accurate; however, at this time, pain is the most urgent concern for the patient. Focus: Prioritization
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You are supervising a nurse on orientation to the unit who is discharging a patient admitted with kidney stones who underwent lithotripsy. Which statement by the nurse to the patient requires that you intervene? 1. "You should finish all of your antibiotics to make sure that you don't get a UTI." 2. "Remember to drink at least 3 L of fluids every day to prevent another stone from forming." 3. "Report any signs of bruising to your physician immediately, since this indicates bleeding." 4. "You can return to work in 2 days to 6 weeks, depending on what your physician prescribes."
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Ans: 3 Bruising is to be expected after lithotripsy. It may be quite extensive and take several weeks to resolve. All of the other statements are accurate for a patient after lithotripsy. Focus: Prioritization
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As charge nurse, you must rearrange room assignments to admit a new patient. Which two patients would be best suited to be roommates? 1. 58-year-old with urothelial cancer receiving multiagent chemotherapy 2. 63-year-old with kidney stones who has just undergone open ureterolithotomy 3. 24-year-old with acute pyelonephritis and severe flank pain 4. 76-year-old with urge incontinence and a UTI _____, _____
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Ans: 3, 4 Both these patients will need frequent assessments and medications. The patient receiving chemotherapy and the patient who has just undergone surgery should not be exposed to any patient with infection. Focus: Assignment
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The nursing diagnosis of Constipation related to compression of the intestinal tract has been identified in a patient with polycystic kidney disease. Which nursing care action should you delegate to a newly-trained LPN/LVN? 1. Instructing the patient about foods that are high in fiber 2. Teaching the patient about foods that assist in promoting bowel regularity 3. Assessing the patient for previous bowel problems and bowel routine 4. Administering docusate sodium (Colace) 100 mg by mouth twice a day
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Ans: 4 Administering oral medications appropriately is covered in the educational program for LPNs/LVNs and is within their scope of practice. Teaching and assessing the patient require additional education and skill and are appropriate to the scope of practice of RNs. Focus: Delegation, supervision
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In a male patient who must undergo intermittent catheterization, you are preparing to insert a catheter to assess the patient for postvoid residual. Place the steps for catheterization in the correct order. 1. Assist the patient to the bathroom and ask the patient to attempt to void. 2. Retract the foreskin and hold the penis at a 60- to 90-degree angle. 3. Open the catheterization kit and put on sterile gloves. 4. Lubricate the catheter and insert it through the meatus of the penis. 5. Position the patient supine in bed or with the head slightly elevated. 6. Drain all the urine present in the bladder into a container. 7. Cleanse the glans penis starting at the meatus and working outward. 8. Remove the catheter, clean the penis, and measure the amount of urine returned. ____, ____, _____, _____, ____, ____, _____, _____
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Ans: 1, 5, 3, 2, 7, 4, 6, 8 Before checking postvoid residual, you should ask the patient to void, and then position him. Next you should open the catheterization kit and put on sterile gloves, position the patient's penis, clean the meatus, then lubricate and insert the catheter. All urine must be drained from the bladder to assess the amount of postvoid residual the patient has. Finally, the catheter is removed, the penis cleaned, and the urine measured. Focus: Prioritization
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You are the admitting nurse for a patient with nephrotic syndrome. Which assessment finding supports this diagnosis? 1. Edema formation 2. Hypotension 3. Increased urine output 4. Flank pain
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Ans: 1 The underlying pathophysiology of nephrotic syndrome involves increased glomerular permeability, which allows larger molecules to pass through the membrane into the urine and be removed from the blood. This process causes massive loss of protein, edema formation, and decreased serum albumin levels. Key features include hypertension and renal insufficiency (decreased urine output) related to concurrent renal vein thrombosis, which may be a cause or an effect of nephrotic syndrome. Flank pain is seen in patients with acute pyelonephritis. Focus: Prioritization
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A patient has renal cell carcinoma (adenocarcinoma of the kidney). You are providing orientation to a new nurse on the unit, who asks you why this patient is not receiving chemotherapy. What is your best response? 1. "The prognosis for this form of cancer is very poor, and we will be providing only comfort measures." 2. "Nephrectomy is the preferred treatment as chemotherapy has been shown to have only limited effectiveness against this type of cancer." 3. "Research has shown that the most effective means of treating this form of cancer is with radiation therapy." 4. "Radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive procedure that is the best way to treat renal cell carcinoma."
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Ans: 2 Chemotherapy has limited effectiveness against renal cell carcinoma. This form of cancer is usually treated surgically by nephrectomy. Focus: Supervision, prioritization
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You are teaching a patient how best to prevent renal trauma after an injury that required a left nephrectomy. Which points would you include in your teaching plan? (Select all that apply.) 1. Always wear a seat belt. 2. Avoid all contact sports. 3. Practice safe walking habits. 4. Wear protective clothing to participate in contact sports. 5. Use caution when riding a bicycle.
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Ans: 1, 2, 3, 5 A patient with only one kidney should avoid all contact sports and high-risk activities to protect the remaining kidney from injury and preserve kidney function. All of the other points are key to preventing renal trauma. Focus: Prioritization
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You are providing nursing care for a patient with acute kidney failure for whom a nursing diagnosis of Excess Fluid Volume related to compromised regulatory mechanisms has been identified. Which actions should you delegate to an experienced UAP? (Select all that apply.) 1. Measuring and recording vital sign values every 4 hours 2. Weighing the patient every morning using a standing scale 3. Administering furosemide (Lasix) 40 mg orally twice a day 4. Reminding the patient to save all urine for intake and output measurement 5. Assessing breath sounds every 4 hours 6. Ensuring that the patient's urinal is within reach
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Ans: 1, 2, 4, 6 Administering oral medications is appropriate to the scope of practice for an LPN/LVN or RN. Assessing breath sounds requires additional education and skill development and is most appropriately within the scope of practice of an RN, but it may be part of the observations of an experienced and competent LPN/LVN. All other actions are within the educational preparation and scope of practice of an experienced UAP. Focus: Delegation, supervision
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A UAP reports to you that a patient with acute kidney failure has had a urine output of 350 mL over the past 24 hours after receiving furosemide 40 mg IV push. The UAP asks you how this can happen. What is your best response? 1. "During the oliguric phase of acute kidney failure, patients often do not respond well to either fluid challenges or diuretics." 2. "There must be some sort of error. Someone must have failed to record the urine output." 3. "A patient with acute kidney failure retains sodium and water, which counteracts the action of the furosemide." 4. "The gradual accumulation of nitrogenous waste products results in the retention of water and sodium."
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Ans: 1 During the oliguric phase of acute kidney failure, a patient's urine output is greatly reduced. Fluid boluses and diuretics do not work well. This phase usually lasts from 8 to 15 days. Although there are frequent omissions in recording intake and output, this is probably not the cause of the patient's decreased urine output. Retention of sodium and water is the rationale for giving furosemide, not the reason that it is ineffective. Nitrogenous wastes build up as a result of the kidneys' inability to perform their elimination function. Focus: Prioritization, supervision
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You are the charge nurse. Which patient will you assign to a nurse floated to your unit from the surgical intensive care unit (ICU)? 1. Patient with kidney stones scheduled for lithotripsy this morning 2. Patient who has just undergone surgery for renal stent placement 3. Newly-admitted patient with an acute UTI 4. Patient with chronic kidney failure who needs teaching on peritoneal dialysis
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Ans: 2 A nurse from the surgical ICU will be thoroughly familiar with the care of patients who have just undergone surgery. The patient scheduled for lithotripsy may need education about the procedure. The newly-admitted patient needs an in-depth admission assessment, and the patient with chronic kidney failure needs teaching about peritoneal dialysis. All of these interventions would best be accomplished by an experienced nurse with expertise in the care of patients with kidney problems. Focus: Assignment
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Your patient is receiving IV piggyback doses of gentamicin (Garamycin) every 12 hours. Which would be your priority for monitoring during the period that the patient is receiving this drug? 1. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels 2. Patient weight every morning 3. Intake and output every shift 4. Temperature
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Ans: 1 Gentamicin can be a highly nephrotoxic substance. You would monitor creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels for elevations indicating possible nephrotoxicity. All of the other measures are important but are not specific to gentamicin therapy. Focus: Prioritization
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A patient in whom acute kidney failure has been diagnosed has had a urine output of 1560 mL for the past 8 hours. The LPN/LVN who is caring for this patient, under your supervision, asks you how a patient with kidney failure can have such a large urine output. What is your best response? 1. "The patient's kidney failure was due to hypovolemia and we have given him IV fluids to correct the problem." 2. "Acute kidney failure patients go through a diuretic phase when their kidneys begin to recover and may put out as much as 10 L of urine per day." 3. "With that much urine output, there must have been a mistake in the patient's diagnosis." 4. "An increase in urine output like this is an indicator that the patient is entering the recovery phase of acute kidney failure."
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Ans: 2 Patients with acute kidney failure usually go through a diuretic phase 2 to 6 weeks after the onset of the oliguric phase. The diuresis can result in an output of up to 10 L/day of dilute urine. During this phase it is important to monitor for electrolyte and fluid imbalances. This is followed by the recovery phase. A patient with acute kidney failure caused by hypovolemia would receive IV fluids to correct the problem; however, this would not necessarily lead to the onset of diuresis. Focus: Supervision
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A patient on the medical-surgical unit with acute kidney failure is to begin continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) as soon as possible. What is the priority action at this time? 1. Call the charge nurse and transfer the patient to the ICU. 2. Develop a teaching plan for the patient that focuses on CAVH. 3. Assist the patient with morning bath and mouth care before transfer. 4. Notify the physician that the patient's mean arterial pressure is 68 mm Hg.
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Ans: 1 CAVH is a continuous renal replacement therapy that is prescribed for patients with kidney failure who are critically ill and do not tolerate the rapid shifts in fluids and electrolytes that are associated with hemodialysis. A teaching plan is not urgent at this time. A patient must have a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of at least 60 mm Hg or more for CAVH to be of use. The physician should be notified about this patient's MAP; it is a priority, but not the highest priority. When a patient urgently needs a procedure, morning care does not take priority and may be deferred until later in the day. Focus: Prioritization
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You are caring for a patient admitted with dehydration secondary to deficient antidiuretic hormone (ADH). Which specific gravity value supports this diagnosis? 1. 1.010 2. 1.035 3. 1.020 4. 1.002
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Ans: 4 A patient with dehydration due to deficient ADH would have diluted urine with a decreased urine specific gravity. Normal urine specific gravity ranges from 1.003 to 1.030. A specific gravity of 1.035 would indicate urine that is concentrated. Focus: Prioritization
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You are supervising a senior nursing student who is caring for a 78-year-old scheduled for an intravenous pyelography. What information would you be sure to stress about this procedure to the nursing student? 1. "After the procedure, monitor urine output because the contrast dye increases the risk for kidney failure in older adults." 2. "The purpose of this procedure is to measure kidney size." 3. "Because this procedure assesses kidney function, there is no need for a bowel prep." 4. "Keep the patient NPO after the procedure because during the procedure the patient will receive drugs that affect the gag reflex."
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Ans: 1 The risk for contrast-induced kidney failure is greatest in patients who are older or dehydrated. If possible, arrange for the patient to have this procedure early in the day to prevent dehydration. The purpose of this procedure is to assess kidney function and identify anomalies. The administration of drugs that affect the gag reflex is not done during this procedure. Focus: Supervision, prioritization