From the Research
For a 73-year-old lady presenting with urinary retention, initial bloodwork should include a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), urinalysis with culture and sensitivity, and measurement of post-void residual volume. The CBC helps identify infection through elevated white blood cell count, while the CMP assesses kidney function through blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine levels, which may be elevated if urinary retention has caused kidney damage, as noted in 1. Electrolyte imbalances can also be detected through the CMP. Urinalysis and culture are crucial to identify urinary tract infections, which can cause or result from urinary retention in elderly patients, as discussed in 2. Additionally, measuring post-void residual volume via catheterization or ultrasound helps quantify the severity of retention. Some key points to consider when evaluating urinary retention include:
- The patient's medical history, including current medications and potential neurologic or obstructive causes, as outlined in 3
- The importance of differentiating between asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptomatic urinary tract infections, as highlighted in 2
- The role of diagnostic testing, such as urinalysis and urine culture, in guiding treatment decisions, as mentioned in 2 In some cases, further testing may be necessary to determine the underlying cause of urinary retention, but the initial bloodwork and diagnostic tests provide a foundation for assessment and treatment.