Page 2 - Urodynamic Assessment
P. 2
Urodynamic assessment
Preparation You may be asked to cough or bear down on a
full bladder to bring on urine leakage and allow
Prior to your urodynamic assessment, you may measurement of the pressure at which leakage
be asked to complete a voiding diary, recording occurs. The bladder catheter is then removed after
times and amounts of urination. Bring this to your which you will be asked to void once again in the flow
appointment along with a list of your medications measuring toilet. A reading may be obtained with a
and their dosage. On the day of your examination thin catheter during voiding while measuring urine
you may eat and drink normally. Take your usual flow at the same time. In some cases, x-ray imaging
medication unless directed otherwise. You should may be used to visualize the bladder and its outlet
consume enough fluids so that you arrive at your during filling and emptying (video-urodynamics).
appointment with a comfortably full bladder.
The specific tests required for your evaluation may
Urodynamic assessment vary.
When you arrive, a nurse will review your health, After your urodynamic assessment
medical history and voiding problem. You will be
asked to disrobe and put on a hospital gown. The There are no restrictions on your activity after the
nurse will explain each step of the assessment and assessment; you may drive and return to work. Mild
ensure that you remain comfortable. The testing may burning with urination is common and usually clears
take up to one hour. within a day or two. In some, particularly men, the
urine may be stained with blood for a few days. These
You may be asked to empty your bladder into a symptoms will clear more rapidly if you drink plenty of
special toilet containing a device that records the fluids. Severe bleeding, ongoing burning pain or fever
rate, volume, duration and pattern of urine flow. The and chills should be reported promptly to your doctor.
amount of urine remaining in the bladder after voiding
will then be measured by ultrasound or with a thin Follow-up
hollow tube or catheter inserted through the urethra
(postvoid residual urine volume). Your urologist will review the results of your urodynamic
assessment with you. The information obtained will
Lying on a special reclining chair or bed, a narrow assist in planning treatment appropriate for your
catheter will be introduced through the urethra into specific condition.
the bladder to allow filling and pressure measurement.
A soft balloon may be placed in the rectum to Your urodynamic assessment has been scheduled for:
measure abdominal pressure. Any discomfort related
to catheter insertion can be minimized by remaining ___________________________________ (date)
relaxed. Electrode stickers may be attached between
your legs to record activity in the sphincter muscle. at ____________________________________ (time)
Sterile water is run slowly into the bladder through the at __________________________________________
catheter until you feel full, while bladder pressure is
recorded. It is important to lie still so that computer ___________________________________ (location)
recordings are accurate. The nurse will ask you to
report urges to void and feelings of bladder fullness. or
You will be contacted with a date and time of
your urodynamic assessment.
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