Six hours after urinary catheter removal following a cesarean section, a patient has not voided. What is the nurse's first action?

Six hours after urinary catheter removal following a cesarean section, a patient has not voided. What is the nurse's first action?

• A. Provide bedpan and privacy
• B. Assess abdominal distension
• C. Re-catheterize for residual urine
• D. Assist to bathroom and encourage void

Answer: (B)

Urinary retention after catheter removal is a common concern, especially after anesthesia and cesarean birth. The first step is to assess for bladder distension. Palpate the suprapubic area or use a bladder scanner to determine whether the bladder is full. If distension is present, it indicates retention and guides the next actions (such as further assessment or catheterization if needed). If the abdomen isn’t distended, the patient may just need time to void or help with positioning and privacy. Jumping straight to methods like re-catheterization or forcing voiding without confirming distension could lead to unnecessary procedures; starting with an assessment ensures the care plan fits the patient’s actual need.

Urinary retention after catheter removal is a common concern, especially after anesthesia and cesarean birth. The first step is to assess for bladder distension. Palpate the suprapubic area or use a bladder scanner to determine whether the bladder is full. If distension is present, it indicates retention and guides the next actions (such as further assessment or catheterization if needed). If the abdomen isn’t distended, the patient may just need time to void or help with positioning and privacy. Jumping straight to methods like re-catheterization or forcing voiding without confirming distension could lead to unnecessary procedures; starting with an assessment ensures the care plan fits the patient’s actual need.