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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

Perineal Care of the Male Resident

Perineal care should be performed during a bath, after using the bedpan, and/or after incontinence. Special care should be used when performing perineal care on an uncircumcised male. Failure to retract and wash the area under the foreskin can result in infection. Failure to return the foreskin to its normal position can result in paraphimosis.

Indwelling Catheter Care

Indwelling catheters allow urine to drain from the bladder. They are used when residents are unable to urinate on their own or when the process of cleaning the resident after urination would be difficult for the resident to tolerate (such as during end of life care). Caring for the catheter appropriately is a vital part of preventing infection and skin breakdown.

Partial Bed Bath

Bathing is an important part of a patient’s health routine. A partial bed bath focuses on bathing sensitive areas that cause discomfort if not cleansed frequently, such as the face, hands, axillae, back, and perineum. Though patients receiving a bed bath are typically confined to the bed, some are able to wash themselves and should be encouraged to do so to promote independence.

Fowler’s Position

Fowler’s position is used when a patient is eating, is having difficulty breathing, or is ordered by a doctor. This position is easily recognized because the patient will be sitting “straight up.” Semi-Fowler’s is sitting “half-way up,” and is used when patients cannot be laid flat, but wish to be in a more relaxed position than Fowler’s.

Caring for a Patient’s Dentures

For patients with dentures, care of the dentures is just as important as brushing natural teeth. Good denture hygiene and fit helps prevent oral irritation and infection.

Measuring the Radial Pulse

The radial artery, located in the wrist, is easy to feel and an efficient location to measure heart rate. Changes to the rhythm or strength of the radial pulse can indicate heart disease, damage to the arm, or body fluid status. It is important to remember to check the radial pulse on both sides as differences between left and right can indicate injury or disease processes.

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