Nursing & Healthcare Programs

Measuring and Recording Output from a Urinary Drainage Bag

Written by Amanda R. McDaniel, MS, BSN, RN
Amanda is a BSN/RN with a MS in Physiology and a BA in English. She worked as a medical writer in the pharmaceutical industry for 11 years before pursuing a career in nursing. She now works as a nurse on a NeuroTelemetry unit and continues to write and edit on a freelance basis. Amanda’s LinkedIn

Accurate measurement of urination (aka, the output portion of intake and output) allows medical personnel to assess kidney and bladder function. Changes in output quantity or quality can reflect health status changes including new-onset infection or renal injury.

  1. Gather your supplies:
    • Gloves
    • Graduated measuring container. Make sure that the measurement on the container reflects the accuracy required by the doctor or institutional policy.
    • Antiseptic wipes
    • Paper towels or an absorbent pad
  2. Give the resident privacy by closing the door or curtain.
  3. Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
  4. Lay the paper towels or absorbent pad on the floor below the urinary drainage bag.
  5. Place the measuring container on the towels or pad.
  6. Without allowing the drain to touch any part of the measuring container, open the drain and allow all urine to drain into the container.
  7. Clamp the drain and clean the end with an antiseptic wipe. Place the drain back in its holder.
  8. Note the amount of urine in the container. Note the characteristics of the urine. What is the color? Is there sediment or blood present? Does it smell strongly? Is there a decrease or increase in the amount of urine versus the last time the bag was emptied?
  9. Remove the paper towel or absorbent pad.
  10. Pour the urine into the toilet and rinse the measuring container. Pour the rinse water into the toilet and flush.
  11. Disinfect and store or dispose of the measuring container.
  12. Remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
  13. Record the quantity and characteristics of the urine in the appropriate section of the resident’s chart per institutional or unit policy. Report any changes to the nurse per policy.

References

S. A. Sorrentino, & L. N. Remmert. (2012). Urinary elimination. In Mosby’s textbook for nursing assistants (8th ed., pp 399). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Mosby.

More Resources

Prone Position

Prone position is not used as commonly as other patient positions. This position allows for full extension of the hips and the knees and gives many bony prominences a break from continuous pressure. However, placing patients in prone position does not come without the risks of pressure ulcers.

Handwashing for CNAs

Handwashing is considered the single most important practice to prevent the spread of infection. Even when hands look clean, they could potentially be crawling with dangerous microorganisms and pathogens. Using soap and friction during handwashing helps loosen the oils on the skin, allowing dirt and pathogens to be rinsed away.

Orthopneic Position

Patients with respiratory illnesses such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) find ways to help themselves breathe more easily. This can include sleeping with extra pillows to keep them propped up or leaning forward to ease the work of breathing. The orthopneic position is one forward-leaning position used to help patients breathe comfortably when they are having difficulty.

Measuring Blood Pressure

Many factors can interfere with obtaining an accurate blood pressure. The most common mistakes that lead to inaccurate blood pressures are a result of improper technique, including: not supporting the patient’s arm, using the wrong sized cuff, positioning the cuff too low on the patient’s arm, improper positioning of the cuff’s artery marker, and attempting to measure blood pressure through clothing.

Passive Range of Motion Exercises

Range of motion exercises are used to help prevent or decrease contractures, improve flexibility of joints, and improve strength [1]. Bedridden patients as well as those with reduced mobility may greatly benefit from passive range of motion exercises. However, do not perform these exercises without an order to do so, as it may be contraindicated in certain situations.

Performing the Heimlich Maneuver

The Heimlich Maneuver, also known as abdominal thrusts, is used to remove an object that is blocking a resident’s airway and preventing air from reaching the lungs. It only takes four to six minutes for brain damage to occur from lack of oxygen, so prompt action is vital.