geekymedics.com-Measuring amp Recording Urine Output OSCE Guide
geekymedics.com-Measuring amp Recording Urine Output OSCE Guide
geekymedics.com/measuring-recording-urine-output
The ability to accurately measure and record urine output is a key clinical skill all
healthcare professionals should possess. The rate of urine output can provide insights
into how well the kidneys and other organs are being perfused, allowing for early
recognition of deteriorating patients (e.g. sepsis, haemorrhage).
This guide provides a step-by-step approach to measuring and recording urine output.
Download the measuring and recording urine output PDF OSCE checklist, or use our
interactive OSCE checklist. You may also be interested in our catheterisation or vital
signs guides.
Gather equipment
Gather the relevant equipment for measuring urine output:
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Stations, including a range of clinical skills and procedures stations
Introduction
Wash your hands and don PPE if appropriate.
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Briefly explain what the procedure will involve using patient-friendly language: “Today, I
would like to measure your urine output. This will involve measuring how much urine is
present in your bedpan to get an understanding of how well your kidneys are working.”
Wash hands
Don PPE
Urinary catheter
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If the patient has a urinary catheter in place, then urine output can be measured by
observation of the measurement markings on the collection device.
Some catheters have a single bag which all urine drains into immediately, whereas others
have a separate chamber that urine drains into first. This first chamber can then be
emptied by opening the valve, allowing the urine to move into the larger catheter bag.
Catheters with a separate measurement chamber can make it easier to assess a patient’s
rate of urine output.
1. Note the time at which the patient’s catheter bag/chamber was last emptied.
2. Inspect the catheter bag/chamber at eye level and note the volume of urine present
(typically in millilitres).
3. Record the volume of urine on the relevant urine output chart and the time of the
measurement. You should also calculate the rate of urine output (see below).
4. If the catheter bag is full, this should be emptied after your recording. If the patient has
a separate urine collection chamber device, the valve should be opened to allow the
chamber to empty into the catheter bag and the valve should then be closed.
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Dispose of PPE
Wash hands
If the patient does not have a catheter and urine is instead being collected in a container
(e.g. bedpan) you can measure the urine output as follows:
2. Don gloves
3. Carefully pour the contents of the urine collection container into a graduated
measurement cylinder. Ensure there is no splashing or spilling of the bedpan contents.
4. Inspect the graduated measurement cylinder at eye level and note the volume of urine
present (typically in millilitres).
5. Dispose of the urine into a toilet and clean the graduated measurement cylinder
appropriately.
7. Record the volume of urine on the relevant urine output chart and the time of the
measurement. You should also calculate the rate of urine output (see below).
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Calculating the rate of urine output
To calculate the rate of urine output, divide the volume of urine produced by the
number of hours that have elapsed since the bag/chamber was last emptied (e.g.
80ml over 2 hours = 40ml/hour).
Normal urine output in a healthy individual should be between 0.5-1.5 mL/kg/hour, and
patients should generally be urinating at least every 6 hours.1
Discuss the urine output result with the patient, including any further steps that may
need to occur (e.g. further investigations, initiation of intravenous fluids).
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urine Output. 2020. Available from:
[LINK].
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