Management of Clients with Urinary Disorders

Nurses commonly provide the initial assessment, diagnosis, and outcome management of altered urinary elimination and related nursing diagnoses. Impaired urinary elimination is a nursing diagnosis used for dysfunction involving the urethra, bladder, or ureters. More specific nursing diagnoses include Stress Urinary Incontinence, Reflex Urinary Incontinence, Functional Urinary Incontinence, and Urinary Retention. Several additional nursing diagnoses are discussed throughout the chapter. Because of the personal nature of the urinary system, its proximity to the reproductive system in females, and the shared urinary and reproductive system of males, urinary disorders commonly lead to feelings of shame, isolation, and embarrassment. It is vital that nurses be sensitive to the psychosocial needs of any client with a urinary disorder. It is also important to recognize that urinary diagnoses may signal that other medical conditions coexist. Longterm sequelae or conditions occurring as a consequence of altered urinary elimination may include such problems as impaired kidney function, changes in fluid volume and electrolytes, skin breakdown, changes in quality of life, and other associated conditions.