The person with urinary retention: student perception and scientific evidence on the use of portable ultrasound scanners

Abstract

Background: In nursing care and teaching, ultrasound bladder scanners are rarely used for assessing urinary retention. Objectives: To analyze nursing students’ perception of pro-ficiency, knowledge, and skill in the evaluation of urinary retention and performance of urinary catheterization, and to identify scientific evidence on the use of ultrasound bladder scanners to diagnose urinary retention. Methodolog y: Two studies were conducted: 1) Descriptive, with the participation of 305 nursing students (data collect-ed by questionnaire); 2) Integrative review of the literature. Results: In study 1, students reported more confidence in the performance of urinary catheterization than in the evaluation of the person with urinary retention. Study 2 showed that the ultrasound bladder scanner is a technology that provides professional and patient safety, improving teaching and care delivery. Conclusion: The use of ultrasound bladder scanners can improve the complexity of nursing care in urinary retention.