False reading of retained urine from a bladder scan

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Nursing Practice
• Critical Care

Background:

• An 88-year-old female patient with a history of heart failure presented with a decreased level of consciousness.
• The patient exhibited a significant decrease in urinary output, a common concern in cardiac patients.

Observation:

• A bladder scan was performed to assess urinary retention.
• The scan revealed specific findings related to bladder volume and residual urine.

Findings:

• The bladder scan findings were not immediately aligned with the expected clinical picture.
• This discrepancy necessitated further nursing investigation and critical evaluation.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical role of nursing assessment and critical thinking in managing complex geriatric patients.
• It highlights the need to bridge gaps between assessment data and expected patient outcomes to ensure effective interventions and positive results.