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NUR 155 Urinary & Bowel Elimination
Nursing Fundamentals Concepts,
Assessments & Interventions
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing / Fundamentals (Urinary & Bowel Elimination)
Source: Galen NUR 155 Exam document
Format: Key Concept Definitions & Clinical Facts
1. What is the expected minimum urinary output per hour?
Correct Answer: Should be 30ml per hour output.
Rationale:
1. A minimum output of 30 mL/hr is the standard clinical indicator of
adequate renal perfusion and function in an adult.
2. Output below this level (oliguria) may indicate dehydration, renal
impairment, shock, or obstruction and requires further assessment.
2. How is urine formed?
Correct Answer: Urine is formed by nephrons.
Rationale:
1. Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney, each consisting of a
glomerulus and a tubule.
2. They perform the three processes of urine formation: filtration,
reabsorption, and secretion.
3. What is the function of the ureters?
Correct Answer: Carry urine to the bladder.
Rationale:
1. The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the renal
pelves of the kidneys to the urinary bladder via peristaltic waves.
2. This is a one-way transport system to prevent backflow of urine.
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4. What is the function of the bladder?
Correct Answer: Walls relax and expand to store urine, and walls contract
and flatten to empty urine.
Rationale:
1. The detrusor muscle of the bladder wall allows for expansion
(compliance) for storage.
2. Contraction of the detrusor muscle, along with relaxation of the
internal and external urethral sphincters, enables voiding
(micturition).
5. What is the function of the urethra?
Correct Answer: Transports urine away from bladder for elimination.
Rationale:
1. The urethra is the final conduit for urine passage from the bladder to
the exterior of the body.
2. In males, it also serves as a passage for semen.
6. What are normal urine characteristics?
Correct Answer: Sterile, free from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They
contain fluids, salts, and waste products.
Rationale:
1. Urine in the bladder of a healthy person is typically sterile (no
microbial growth).
2. Its normal composition includes water, electrolytes (salts), and
metabolic waste products like urea and creatinine.
7. What is anuria?
Correct Answer: Without urine. Failure to produce or excrete urine.
<100ml's in 24 hours.
Rationale:
1. Anuria is a severe reduction in urine output, defined as less than 100
mL in 24 hours.
2. It indicates profound renal failure, severe dehydration, or complete
urinary tract obstruction and is a medical emergency.
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8. What is oliguria?
Correct Answer: Reduced urine volume. < 500, but greater than 100mls.
Rationale:
1. Oliguria is clinically defined as urine output less than 400-500 mL
per 24 hours (or <0.5 mL/kg/hr) but more than 100 mL.
2. It is a critical sign of impending renal failure or inadequate fluid
intake and must be investigated.
9. What is polyuria?
Correct Answer: > 2500mls a day. Excessive volume of urine.
Rationale:
1. Polyuria is the production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine
(>2.5 L/day in adults).
2. Common causes include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (osmotic
diuresis), diabetes insipidus, diuretic use, and excessive fluid intake.
10. What is nocturia?
Correct Answer: Excessive urination at night.
Rationale:
1. Nocturia is the complaint of waking one or more times at night to
void.
2. It can be caused by nocturnal polyuria (excessive urine production at
night), bladder storage problems, sleep disorders, or conditions like
CHF or diabetes.
11. What is dysuria?
Correct Answer: Painful urination.
Rationale:
1. Dysuria is a common symptom of a lower urinary tract infection
(UTI) or inflammation.
2. It is often described as a burning or stinging sensation during
micturition.
12. What is hematuria?
Correct Answer: Abnormal presence of rbc's in the urine.
Rationale:
NUR 155 Urinary & Bowel Elimination
Nursing Fundamentals Concepts,
Assessments & Interventions
Exam Structure:
Subject: Nursing / Fundamentals (Urinary & Bowel Elimination)
Source: Galen NUR 155 Exam document
Format: Key Concept Definitions & Clinical Facts
1. What is the expected minimum urinary output per hour?
Correct Answer: Should be 30ml per hour output.
Rationale:
1. A minimum output of 30 mL/hr is the standard clinical indicator of
adequate renal perfusion and function in an adult.
2. Output below this level (oliguria) may indicate dehydration, renal
impairment, shock, or obstruction and requires further assessment.
2. How is urine formed?
Correct Answer: Urine is formed by nephrons.
Rationale:
1. Nephrons are the functional units of the kidney, each consisting of a
glomerulus and a tubule.
2. They perform the three processes of urine formation: filtration,
reabsorption, and secretion.
3. What is the function of the ureters?
Correct Answer: Carry urine to the bladder.
Rationale:
1. The ureters are muscular tubes that transport urine from the renal
pelves of the kidneys to the urinary bladder via peristaltic waves.
2. This is a one-way transport system to prevent backflow of urine.
, 2|Page
4. What is the function of the bladder?
Correct Answer: Walls relax and expand to store urine, and walls contract
and flatten to empty urine.
Rationale:
1. The detrusor muscle of the bladder wall allows for expansion
(compliance) for storage.
2. Contraction of the detrusor muscle, along with relaxation of the
internal and external urethral sphincters, enables voiding
(micturition).
5. What is the function of the urethra?
Correct Answer: Transports urine away from bladder for elimination.
Rationale:
1. The urethra is the final conduit for urine passage from the bladder to
the exterior of the body.
2. In males, it also serves as a passage for semen.
6. What are normal urine characteristics?
Correct Answer: Sterile, free from bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They
contain fluids, salts, and waste products.
Rationale:
1. Urine in the bladder of a healthy person is typically sterile (no
microbial growth).
2. Its normal composition includes water, electrolytes (salts), and
metabolic waste products like urea and creatinine.
7. What is anuria?
Correct Answer: Without urine. Failure to produce or excrete urine.
<100ml's in 24 hours.
Rationale:
1. Anuria is a severe reduction in urine output, defined as less than 100
mL in 24 hours.
2. It indicates profound renal failure, severe dehydration, or complete
urinary tract obstruction and is a medical emergency.
, 3|Page
8. What is oliguria?
Correct Answer: Reduced urine volume. < 500, but greater than 100mls.
Rationale:
1. Oliguria is clinically defined as urine output less than 400-500 mL
per 24 hours (or <0.5 mL/kg/hr) but more than 100 mL.
2. It is a critical sign of impending renal failure or inadequate fluid
intake and must be investigated.
9. What is polyuria?
Correct Answer: > 2500mls a day. Excessive volume of urine.
Rationale:
1. Polyuria is the production of abnormally large volumes of dilute urine
(>2.5 L/day in adults).
2. Common causes include uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (osmotic
diuresis), diabetes insipidus, diuretic use, and excessive fluid intake.
10. What is nocturia?
Correct Answer: Excessive urination at night.
Rationale:
1. Nocturia is the complaint of waking one or more times at night to
void.
2. It can be caused by nocturnal polyuria (excessive urine production at
night), bladder storage problems, sleep disorders, or conditions like
CHF or diabetes.
11. What is dysuria?
Correct Answer: Painful urination.
Rationale:
1. Dysuria is a common symptom of a lower urinary tract infection
(UTI) or inflammation.
2. It is often described as a burning or stinging sensation during
micturition.
12. What is hematuria?
Correct Answer: Abnormal presence of rbc's in the urine.
Rationale:
