title: Bladder assessment in the postpartum patient.
abstract: Bladder assessment is a crucial function of the postpartum nurse. Information about the rationale for and the method of performing bladder assessment is meager in nursing literature as well as in other sources. The anatomical-physiological facts about the effects of pregnancy and delivery on the urinary tract are presented. Bladder distention and the methods of ascertaining it are described, along with ways to encourage voiding. The article also covers the issues of timing and volume of voidings of the postpartum patient.
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008722:Methods; D009773:Obstetric Nursing; D011181:Postnatal Care; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000502:physiology*; D014555:Urination Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*