Urine nursing assessment

INEFFECTIVE TISSUE PERFUSION RENAL The patient taking an aminoglycoside is at risk for nephrotoxicity. The nurse measures and records the intake and output and notifies the primary health care provider if the output is less than 750 ml/day. It is important to keep a record of the fluid intake and output as well as a daily weight to assess hydration and renal function. The nurse encourages fluid intake to 2000 ml/day (if the patient s condition permits). Any changes in the intake and output ratio or in the appearance of the urine may indicate nephrotoxicity. The nurse reports these types of changes to the primary health care provider promptly. The primary health care provider may order daily laboratory tests (ie, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen [BUN]) to monitor renal function. The nurse reports any elevation in the creatinine or BUN level to tiie primary health care provider because an elevation may indicate renal dysfunction. 

ACYCLOVIR When given IV, acyclovir can cause crystal-luria (presence of crystals in the urine) and mental confusion. The nurse helps the patient maintain adequate hydration to prevent crystalluria by encouraging the patient to drink 2000 to 3000 mL of fluid each day (if the disease condition permits). In addition, the nurse should give careful attention to assessing the mental status of the patient. 

Before tlie initial administration of tlie drug, it is important to assess tlie patient s general appearance and take and record the vital signs. The nurse obtains information regarding tlie symptoms experienced by tlie patient and the lengtli of time these symptoms have been present. Depending on tlie tyiie and location of tlie infection or disease tlie nurse reviews the results of tests, such as a urine culture, urinalysis, complete blood count, intravenous pyelogram, renal function tests, and examination of tlie stool. 

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