The nurse is initiating continuous bladder irrigation on a patient that just underwent a prostatectomy. The nurse understands that the flow rate is adequate if:

Explanation

• The goal of continuous irrigation is to prevent blood clots. The flow needs to prevent blood and drainage from forming a clot, that is why the urine should be kept light pink or yellow. The infusion rate should be adjusted to maintain this urine color

• No urine output would indicate an obstruction, likely from a clot

• If the urinary drainage is as clear as water, the infusion should be slowed

• Output should always equal input during continuous bladder irrigation, but this would not necessarily indicate an adequate flow rate

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