A patient recovering from a bowel resection a few hours ago has a urine output of 50 mL/2 hr.Which action should the nurse take?
A) Do nothing; this is normal postoperative urine output.
B) Increase the infusion rate of the patient's IV fluids.
C) Notify the provider about the patient's oliguria.
D) Administer the patient's routine diuretic dose early.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A urine output of 50 mL/2 hr is considered oliguria, which is a concern postoperatively. The nurse should notify the provider and assess for possible causes such as dehydration, hypovolemia, or renal impairment. Increasing IV fluids or administering diuretics may not be appropriate without further assessment and orders from the provider.

A Patient Recovering from a Bowel Resection a Few Hours