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PROCEDURE FOR
MEASURING BLADDER VOLUME WITH BLADDERSCAN INSTRUMENT
PURPOSE:
To
measure bladder volume non-invasively
EQUIPMENT:
- BladderScan Instrument
- Ultrasound gel
- Non-sterile gloves
- 4X4 gauze pads
- Isopropyl alcohol
NURSING ACTION:
Explain procedure to patient and provide
privacy since lower abdomen will be exposed.
PROCEDURE STEPS:
- Turn on the BladderScan
instrument.
- Clean the scanhead by wiping
it gently with a pad soaked in isopropyl alcohol.
- Select or deselect the
"Female" option as appropriate, using the Gender Button.
- Palpate the symphasis pubis
(pubic bone) and apply the Ultrasound Gel to the patient's abdomen,
midline, approximately one inch above the symphasis pubis.
- Position the scanhead on the
gel and aim it toward the expected location of the patient's
bladder. For most patients this means aiming the scanhead
slightly downward toward the coccyx (tailbone). Press and
release the scan button. Hold the scanhead st4eady until the
scan is complete.
- Verify your aim using the
aiming icon on the instrument's LCD Screen. If necessary,
re-aim and scan again.
- It is recommended that you
scan the patient's bladder three (3) times to insure accuracy.
- If a female patient has had a
hysterectomy, do not select the female setting which causes the
instrument to differentiate for uterine tissue.
- After the scan is complete,
clean the patient's abdomen and the scanhead of ultrasound gel and
place the Scan Printout in the chart under Diagnostic Tests for MD
review.
REFERENCES:
Urological Health in the Acute Care Setting, by Dr. Richard Pelman,
as provided by Diagnostic Ultrasound Corporation.
RESOURCE PERSON(S):
Cathy Brothers, RN
Nursing
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