An 87-year-old patient has suddenly become incontinent.What would the nurse do first?
A)Review the patient's record for medications that can cause urinary incontinence.
B)Seek an order for an indwelling urinary catheter to prevent skin breakdown.
C)Limit the patient's fluid intake to reduce the feeling of having to void so often.
D)Teach the patient to void every 2 hours when awake during the day or night.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should first review the patient's record for medications that can cause urinary incontinence, as this may be a reversible cause. Seeking an order for an indwelling urinary catheter, limiting fluid intake, or teaching the patient to void more frequently are potential interventions, but should not be done before determining the cause of the incontinence.

An 87-Year-Old Patient Has Suddenly Become Incontinent