Basic Nursing Skills Urinary & Bowel Elimination 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the normal urinary output for a healthy adult per day?
- 100–300 mL/day
- 300–500 mL/day
- 800–2000 mL/day (Correct answer)
- 2500–3000 mL/day
Correct answer: 800–2000 mL/day
Normal adult urine output is approximately 800–2000 mL per day, reflecting adequate kidney function and hydration.
Question 2: Which position is most appropriate when placing a patient on a bedpan?
- Prone position
- Semi-Fowler's or elevated head-of-bed position (Correct answer)
- Left lateral Sims' position
- Supine with legs extended
Correct answer: Semi-Fowler's or elevated head-of-bed position
Elevating the head of the bed to semi-Fowler's position mimics the natural sitting position for defecation and reduces straining.
Question 3: The term 'oliguria' is defined as urine output of:
- More than 2500 mL/day
- 500–800 mL/day
- Less than 400 mL/day (Correct answer)
- Less than 1 mL/kg/hr
Correct answer: Less than 400 mL/day
Oliguria is defined as urine output less than 400 mL per day (or less than 30 mL/hour in adults), indicating reduced kidney perfusion or function.
Question 4: Which type of enema is primarily used to stimulate peristalsis and evacuate the bowel before a procedure?
- Retention enema
- Cleansing enema (Correct answer)
- Barium enema
- Oil retention enema
Correct answer: Cleansing enema
A cleansing enema instills a large volume of solution to stimulate peristalsis and mechanically evacuate stool from the colon.
Question 5: What is the normal color of urine in a well-hydrated adult?
- Dark amber or brown
- Pale yellow to amber (Correct answer)
- Clear and colorless
- Light orange
Correct answer: Pale yellow to amber
Normal, adequately hydrated urine ranges from pale yellow to amber due to the pigment urochrome.
Question 6: A patient has not had a bowel movement in 4 days and reports straining without results. This best describes:
- Diarrhea
- Fecal incontinence
- Constipation (Correct answer)
- Flatulence
Correct answer: Constipation
Constipation is characterized by infrequent, difficult passage of stool, often accompanied by straining and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
Question 7: When inserting an indwelling urinary catheter in a female patient, the catheter is typically advanced:
- 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm)
- 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm) (Correct answer)
- 4–5 inches (10–12.5 cm)
- 6–7 inches (15–18 cm)
Correct answer: 2–3 inches (5–7.5 cm)
The female urethra is approximately 1.5–2 inches long, so the catheter is advanced 2–3 inches to ensure the balloon is fully inside the bladder.
Basic Nursing Skills Urinary & Bowel Elimination 1
What is the normal urinary output for a healthy adult per day?