4 Nursing Diagnosis for Urethral Stricture

The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the bladder through the process of micturition.

This urethra is equipped with an internal urethral sphincter which is located at the junction of the bladder and the urethra, the wall consists of smooth muscle innervated by the autonomic system and an external urethral sphincter which is located at the border of the anterior and posterior urethra, the wall consists of striated muscles that can be controlled according to someone's wish. The length of the adult urethra is ± 23-25 ​​cm.

Anatomically, the urethra consists of two parts, the posterior urethra and the anterior urethra. The two urethras are separated by the external urethral sphincter.

Urethral stricture is a narrowing or constriction of the urethral lumen due to obstruction (Long, 1996).

Urethral stricture is a narrowing of the urethral lumen due to abdominal tissue and contraction. (C. Smeltzer, Suzanne; 2002 p. 1468)

Urethral strictures are more common in men than women mainly because of the difference in urethral length. (C. Long, Barbara; 1996 p. 338)

Clinical Manifestations:

• Complaints: difficulty in urinating, must strain, the stream decreases, the stream is branched and drips to urinary retention. Swelling and sap / pus in the perineal area, scrotum and sometimes blood spots appear in the underwear. If there is a systemic infection with febrile patients, the color of the urine can be cloudy. (Nursalam, 2008, p. 86)
• Symptoms and signs of stricture usually begin with obstruction of the urinary flow and then develop the complete bladder neck obstruction syndrome as described in prostatic hypertrophy. Strictures due to inflammation of the urethra are often rather extensive and may be multiple. (Smeltzer.C, 2002, p. 1468)

Urethral Stricture Prevention:

• Avoid trauma to the urethra and pelvis
• Careful transurethral procedures, such as catheter insertion
• Avoid direct contact with people who are infected with sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, by being faithful to one partner and using condoms
• Early treatment of urethral stricture can avoid complications such as infection and kidney failure

Nursing Diagnosis for Urethral Strictures :

1. Urinary retention r/t obstruction in the urinary tract
2. Acute pain r/t biological wound (ischemia)
3. Risk for infection r/t inadequate primary defense
4. Impaired urinary elimination r/t anatomic obstruction

Tag : Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing Diagnosis, Urethral Strictures