The nurse informs a patient with a postvoid residual volume that straight catheterization must be performed to fully empty the patient’s bladder. Which rationale is most appropriate for the nurse to provide for this intervention?

“As urine sits in your bladder, the pH increases which allows bacteria to grow.”. The acidity of urine helps to prevent infection in the urinary tract. As urine sits, however, the pH increases which makes the patient more susceptible to bacteria growth. Therefore, the postvoid residual must be evacuated. Although accurate intake and output measurement is important, this isn’t the rationale for performing an invasive procedure. An overfull bladder can lead to hydronephrosis, but postvoid residual volume indicates urine that is left over after voiding, not necessarily an overfull bladder. The mucosa of the bladder is protected from the acidic urine.

The nurse informs a patient with a postvoid residual volume that ...

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Basic Care and Comfort
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Category: Basic Care and Comfort
Difficulty: 5

Topics: Communication & Documentation Disease Prevention

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