Urinary Issues

Symptoms:

• New confusion/agitation/withdrawn behaviour
• Increasing drowsiness
• Cloudy discoloured, malodorous urine;
• Blood-stained urine
• Burning or stinging when passing urine
• Passing urine more frequently
• Abdominal/pelvic area distension or discomfort

Interventions:

• If possible, obtain a clean urine specimen for urinalysis +/- MSU. Consider using a Urodome or in/out catheter as per facility policy.
• If the resident currently has an in-dwelling catheter, it should be replaced with a new catheter.
• Administer an approved urinary alkaliser (e.g. Ural, Citravescent, Urocalm).
• Encourage & record oral fluid intake if able to swallow.
• Check for confusion or delirium.
• Administer paracetamol if pain or fever present.

Symptoms:

• Reduced urine output or no output
• Confusion/agitation
• Pelvic area distention or discomfort

Interventions:

• Check bowel chart for constipation.
• Check for abdominal distension/discomfort.
• If abdomen distended and no urine output, perform a bladder scan if available.
• If no bladder scanner, insert in and out urinary catheter to drain the bladder and obtain a specimen as per facility policy.
• Check for confusion or delirium.
• If resident has an in-dwelling catheter, see Tubes.