A finding only matters if it turns into an action. Calculate real hourly urine output and interpret a bladder scan, read stool and stoma findings, assess jaundice, pallor, cyanosis and erythema across the full range of skin tones, triage abdominal red flags, build a scored SBAR call from a deteriorating postoperative patient, and decide what may leave your hands.
Hourly urine output
The number to protect is at least 0.5 mL/kg/hour in an adult — about 35 mL/hour for a 70 kg patient, or the familiar bedside floor of 30 mL/hour.
Bladder scan and post-void residual
When a patient cannot void, do not reach for a catheter first — scan first.
Read the stool
Choose a Bristol type and a colour. “Bristol type 7 x 4 in 6 hours” means something to the next nurse; “loose stool” does not.
Read the stoma
Assess an ostomy at every shift and at every pouch change.
Assess across every skin tone
The classic colour descriptions were written for lightly pigmented skin. Choose the finding, then select every site or technique you would use, and check.
Triage the finding
The rule: routine means document and keep monitoring. Notify the provider means escalate now, without waiting for rounds. Rapid response means the patient is unstable or there is a visible surgical catastrophe.
You find
0
Correct
0
Answered
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Build the SBAR call
Sort every fact into Situation, Background, Assessment or Recommendation — or leave it out. Have the data in hand before you dial.
The patient. You are Maria Ortiz, RN, on 4 West. Mr. Daniel Okafor in 412 is a 68-year-old man, postoperative day 2 from an open sigmoid colectomy. His abdomen has become rigid and he has new severe pain.
Who does this task?
The rule that will carry you: assessment, teaching, evaluation, judgment and unstable patients stay with the RN.