Nursing care of clients with urinary tract disorders

The urinary system includes the kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and urethra. This organ system can be affected by a variety of disorders, including congenital malformations, infections, obstructions, trauma, tumours and neurological conditions. Any portion of the system-from the kidney through the urethra-can be affected, with serious or even life threatening consequences unless the problem is appropriatelydiagnosed and treated. Kidney disorders which can affect urineproduction and waste elimination directly are discussed in thenext chapter. Disorders of the urinary drainage system may obstruct urine flow or may affect the kidneys and affect urine production and elimination. The anatomy and physiology and nursing assessment related to the urinary tract is presented in Chapter 27.