Urinary Retention for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
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Included In This Lesson
Study Tools For Urinary Retention for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Urinary System Anatomy (Cheatsheet)
Elimination device – Urinary catheters (Image)
Anatomy of Urinary System (Image)
Urinary Excretory Anatomy (Picmonic)
Outline
Urinary Retention
Definition/Etiology:
Inability to completely empty bladder
Causes:
- Urethral strictures
- Enlarged prostate
- Blood clots, renal calculi, bladder calculi
- Neurogenic bladder
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Multiple sclerosis
- Side effect of parasympathetic agents and over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications
Clinical Presentation:
- Lower abdominal discomfort
- Bladder distention
- Frequent Urination
- Small amounts
- Urge, but can’t go
- Hesitancy
Collaborative Management:
Assessment-
- Ultrasonic bladder scan
Interventions-
- Insert indwelling catheter
- Consider a Coudé catheter for patients with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
- Determine cause, treat as appropriate
- May need Urologist to assist
Linchpins: (Key Points)
- Exit is blocked
- Unblock the exit
Transcript
For more great CEN prep, got to the link below to purchase the “Emergency Nursing Examination Review” book by Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio RN, PHD
https://greatnurses.com/
References:
- Emergency Nurses Association. (2017) Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum, 7th Edition. PA: Saunders
- Savone, D. (2017). Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical Emergencies. In CEN Online Review. Emergency Nurses Association.
Adaptive Brain SIMCLEX Study Plan – 11 May 2026
Concepts Covered:
- Labor and Delivery
- Infectious Disease Disorders
- Infectious Respiratory Disorder
- Male Reproductive Disorders
- Central Nervous System Disorders – Brain
- Urinary Disorders
- Neurological Emergencies
- Respiratory Emergencies
- Fetal Development
- Pregnancy Risks
- Emergency Care of the Neurological Patient
- Neurological
- Emergency Care of the Respiratory Patient
- Terminology
Study Plan Lessons
Fetal Heart Monitoring Like A Pro 2 – Live Tutoring Archive
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Mumps
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Epididymitis
Nursing Care Plan (NCP) for Process of Labor
Pain (Acute, Chronic) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Healthcare-Acquired Infections: Catheter-Associated Bloodstream Infections (CAUTI) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Seizure Disorder for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) for Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN)
Ectopic Pregnancy for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Urinary Retention for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Genitourinary Infections for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Increased Intracranial Pressure (ICP) for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Seizure Disorders for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
Respiratory Distress Syndrome for Certified Emergency Nursing (CEN)
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