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geekymedics.com-Measuring amp Recording Urine Output OSCE Guide

This guide outlines the procedure for accurately measuring and recording urine output, which is crucial for assessing kidney function and patient health. It details the necessary equipment, steps for obtaining urine samples, and methods for recording and calculating urine output rates. The guide emphasizes the importance of patient communication and consent throughout the process.

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2 views

geekymedics.com-Measuring amp Recording Urine Output OSCE Guide

This guide outlines the procedure for accurately measuring and recording urine output, which is crucial for assessing kidney function and patient health. It details the necessary equipment, steps for obtaining urine samples, and methods for recording and calculating urine output rates. The guide emphasizes the importance of patient communication and consent throughout the process.

Uploaded by

humphreybyson388
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Measuring & Recording Urine Output – OSCE Guide

geekymedics.com/measuring-recording-urine-output

Abnoos Mosleh Shirazi July 27, 2021

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:

Urine output recording document


Measuring device: either a 1000 mL graduated cylinder for a patient using a bedpan
or a collection bag for a patient with an indwelling catheter

You might also be interested in our premium collection of 1,300+ ready-made OSCE
Stations, including a range of clinical skills and procedures stations

Introduction
Wash your hands and don PPE if appropriate.

Introduce yourself to the patient including your name and role.

Confirm the patient’s name and date of birth.

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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.”

Gain consent to proceed with urine output measurement.

Wash hands

Don PPE

Introduce yourself & explain the procedure

Obtaining the sample


Urine may initially be obtained in a number of ways including:

An indwelling urinary catheter


Bedpan (for immobile patients)
Various other types of urinary collection containers that the patient may use
themselves if able to

Measuring & recording output

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.

To measure the patient’s 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.

Note the volume of urine in the catheter bag

Inspect for discolouration of urine

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Dispose of PPE

Wash hands

Record urine output

Other urinary collection devices

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:

1. Note the time at which the patient last passed urine.

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.

6. Remove and appropriately dispose of gloves and wash your hands.

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

Oliguria is defined as the production of inadequate volumes of urine (<0.5 mL/kg/hour in


adults and children, <1.0 mL/kg/hour in infants).1

Calculate rate of urine output

To complete the procedure…


Explain to the patient that the procedure is now complete.

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).

Thank the patient for their time.

References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urine Output. 2020. Available from:
[LINK].

Copyright © Geeky Medics

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