An 82-year-old resident of a long-term care facility with a recent history of repeated urinary tract infections and restlessness is suspected of having urinary retention. Which of the following actions by the care team is most appropriate?

Question

A)
Uroflowmetry to determine the rate of the client's urine flow
B)
Ultrasound bladder scanning to determine the residual volume of urine after voiding
C)
Renal ultrasound aimed at identifying acute or chronic kidney disease
D)
Urinalysis focusing on the presence of or absence of microorganisms, blood, or white cells in the man's urine

Answer 1

Ans:
B

Feedback:

Ultrasound bladder scanning yields a fast and noninvasive indication of whether or not an individual is adequately emptying his or her bladder with each void. Uroflowmetry would be less indicative of whether the man is retaining, and renal ultrasound would address deficits in urine production rather than bladder emptying. Urinalysis would be useful in the diagnosis of infections and/or renal issues more than deficiencies in bladder emptying.