A post LSCS woman passes 400 ml urine in the past 24 hours. This condition is known as?

Appeared in: NORCET 1 - 2020

Explanation

Oliguria is the medical term for low urine output.
The clinical definition of oliguria is a urine output of less than 400 mL per day (in 24 hours).
The patient's urine output of 400 mL in 24 hours fits this exact definition.
In post-operative patients, oliguria can be an early sign of complications like dehydration, hemorrhage, or acute kidney injury.

Option B: Polyuria refers to excessive urine output, typically defined as more than 2.5 or 3 liters (2500-3000 mL) in 24 hours. The patient's output of 400 mL is the opposite of this.
Option C: Anuria is the virtual absence of urine, defined as an output of less than 100 mL in 24 hours. The patient's output of 400 mL is low but not low enough to be classified as anuria.
Option D: Hematuria refers to the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It describes the content of the urine, not the volume. The question is about the volume of urine passed.

Visual 1: Chart: A comparative chart showing the 24-hour urine volumes for Anuria, Oliguria, Normal Output, and Polyuria. This visual helps learners quickly differentiate between the terms based on quantitative values.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Assessment of urine output and related terminology as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Monitoring urine output is a fundamental nursing skill, especially in the post-operative period. It is a key indicator of a patient's fluid status and renal perfusion.
For a post-LSCS patient, oliguria could signal dehydration, bleeding (hemorrhage), or a reaction to anesthesia/medications. Prompt identification and reporting are crucial for patient safety.
What if? If the patient's urine output was 80 mL in 24 hours, the condition would be classified as Anuria, indicating a more severe renal issue or obstruction, and requiring immediate emergency intervention.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key clinical data provided in the question: the patient is post-LSCS, the urine volume is 400 mL, and the time frame is 24 hours.
Next, recall the standard medical definitions for different levels of urine output.
Compare the given volume (400 mL/24h) to the definitions of the options.
Oliguria is defined as <400-500 mL/24h. The patient's output matches this definition.
Rule out the other options: Polyuria is excessive urine, Anuria is near-total absence of urine (<100 mL), and Hematuria is blood in urine (a quality, not quantity).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full NORCET 1 - 2020

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