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Quizzes > Health & Medicine > Diseases & Conditions

Scanty Urinary Output Quiz: Test Your Urinary Disorder Knowledge

Think you can identify oliguria symptoms? Start the urinary system disorders quiz now!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of kidneys bladder on sky blue background for quiz on scanty urinary output and urinary disorders

Ready to dive into the world of kidneys and fluid balance? Our Scanty Urinary Output Quiz - Ace Urinary Disorder Basics challenges your grasp of scanty urinary output and essential nursing principles. This free, NCLEX-style renal disorder practice quiz helps you pinpoint oliguria symptoms NCLEX will test you on, sharpen your urine output assessment skills, and reinforce key concepts in under 10 minutes. Perfect for nursing students and healthcare pros seeking a confidence boost, our urinary system disorders quiz and bonus urinary system quiz are here - click to begin and master your clinical edge today!

Which of the following best defines oliguria?
Urine output less than 400 mL in 24 hours
Urine output greater than 3 liters in 24 hours
Urine output less than 100 mL in 24 hours
Urine output between 800 and 2000 mL in 24 hours
Oliguria is defined as urine output less than 400 mL per 24 hours in adults. Recognizing this threshold helps distinguish it from normal and anuric levels. Early identification is crucial to investigate underlying causes such as dehydration or renal impairment. National Kidney Foundation
What is the normal adult urine output per hour?
30–50 mL/hour
10–20 mL/hour
60–80 mL/hour
100–120 mL/hour
Normal urine output in an adult is approximately 0.5–1 mL/kg/hour, which equates to about 30–50 mL/hour. Monitoring hourly output is vital in patients at risk of oliguria. Values below this range warrant evaluation for potential renal hypoperfusion or obstruction. Merck Manual
A patient produces 100 mL of urine over 4 hours. How is this best classified?
Oliguria
Polyuria
Anuria
Nocturia
Urine output of 100 mL over 4 hours equates to 25 mL/hour, which is well below the oliguria threshold. Polyuria involves excessive output, anuria is near complete absence, and nocturia is excessive nighttime voiding. Accurate classification guides further diagnostic workup. UpToDate
Which of the following is the most common pre-renal cause of oliguria?
Hypovolemia from dehydration
Acute tubular necrosis
Urinary tract obstruction
Acute interstitial nephritis
Hypovolemia from dehydration reduces renal perfusion pressure leading to prerenal oliguria. Other causes like ATN and interstitial nephritis are intrinsic, and obstruction is postrenal. Correct identification guides fluid resuscitation as first-line therapy. National Kidney Foundation
An elevated BUN-to-creatinine ratio (>20:1) in oliguria suggests which type of renal issue?
Prerenal azotemia
Intrinsic renal failure
Postrenal obstruction
Glomerulonephritis
A BUN-to-creatinine ratio greater than 20:1 typically indicates prerenal azotemia due to reduced perfusion. Intrinsic and postrenal causes usually have lower ratios as creatinine rises proportionally. This lab distinction is key in directing fluid versus other therapies. UpToDate
Which initial intervention is most appropriate for oliguria caused by dehydration?
Administer isotonic intravenous fluids
Start a loop diuretic infusion
Begin strict fluid restriction
Perform immediate dialysis
In dehydration-induced oliguria, restoring intravascular volume with isotonic IV fluids is first-line. Diuretics and fluid restriction would worsen volume depletion, and dialysis is premature unless refractory. Early volume repletion often corrects prerenal azotemia. National Kidney Foundation
A high urine specific gravity in a patient with oliguria most likely indicates:
Concentrated urine due to hypovolemia
Dilute urine from intrinsic renal failure
Postrenal obstruction lowering concentration
Excess fluid intake
High specific gravity indicates concentrated urine, often seen in prerenal oliguria from hypovolemia. Intrinsic failure typically produces less concentrated urine. Understanding specific gravity helps differentiate prerenal from renal causes. Merck Manual
Which finding is characteristic of anuria rather than oliguria?
Urine output less than 50 mL in 24 hours
Urine output 200 mL in 24 hours
Urine output 600 mL in 24 hours
Urine output 1 liter in 24 hours
Anuria is defined as urine output less than 50 mL in 24 hours, indicating near-complete cessation. Oliguria is output between 50 and 400 mL per day. Distinguishing these helps prioritize emergent evaluation and management. National Kidney Foundation
A fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) less than 1% in oliguria suggests which underlying mechanism?
Prerenal hypoperfusion
Acute tubular necrosis
Postrenal obstruction
Glomerulonephritis
A FENa <1% indicates avid sodium reabsorption characteristic of prerenal azotemia due to hypoperfusion. In intrinsic renal injury like ATN, FENa is typically >2%. This helps differentiate prerenal from intrinsic causes. UpToDate
In early postrenal oliguria, which urine characteristic is most likely?
High specific gravity with low FENa
Low specific gravity with FENa >2%
Concentrated urine with pathological casts
Glucosuria with ketones
Early postrenal obstruction leads to impaired concentrating ability and tubular dysfunction, resulting in low specific gravity and a FENa often >2%. Differentiating these lab values from prerenal helps localize the problem. Merck Manual
Which diuretic is commonly used as a challenge test in oliguric acute kidney injury?
Furosemide
Hydrochlorothiazide
Spironolactone
Mannitol
Furosemide is used in a diuretic challenge to assess tubular function in AKI. A robust response suggests reversible or prerenal causes. Thiazides and potassium-sparing diuretics are less effective in this context. NKF KDOQI
Oliguria in heart failure is primarily due to:
Reduced renal perfusion from low cardiac output
Intrinsic tubular damage
Ureteral obstruction
Increased glomerular filtration
In heart failure, low cardiac output reduces renal blood flow, triggering prerenal mechanisms and oliguria. Intrinsic damage or obstruction are not the primary causes in this scenario. Treatment focuses on improving cardiac output and perfusion. AHJ
Which urinary finding is most specific for acute tubular necrosis in oliguria?
Muddy brown granular casts
Hylaine casts
Waxy casts
Red blood cell casts
Muddy brown granular casts are characteristic of acute tubular necrosis due to sloughed tubular epithelial cells. Hyaline casts can be seen in prerenal states, waxy casts in chronic renal disease, and RBC casts in glomerulonephritis. Recognizing casts aids diagnosis. Merck Manual
The most accurate noninvasive method to assess a patient’s volume status in oliguria is:
Daily weight measurement
Central venous pressure via catheter
Urine dipstick for specific gravity
Thirst level assessment
Daily weights provide a reliable, noninvasive measure of fluid balance. Central venous pressure is invasive, urine specific gravity reflects concentration more than volume, and thirst is subjective. Weight trends guide fluid management in oliguria. NKF Guidelines
Fluid challenge is contraindicated in an oliguric patient with:
Acute decompensated heart failure
Hypovolemia
Prerenal azotemia
Hypotension
In acute decompensated heart failure, additional fluids worsen volume overload and pulmonary edema. Hypovolemia, prerenal azotemia, and hypotension are indications for cautious fluid resuscitation. Clinical context dictates therapy. ACC
Which electrolyte disturbance is most immediately life-threatening in the oliguric phase of acute kidney injury?
Hyperkalemia
Hypocalcemia
Hypokalemia
Hypernatremia
Hyperkalemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is common when urine output is low. Hypocalcemia and hypernatremia are important but less immediately critical, while hypokalemia is unlikely in oliguria. Monitoring and rapid treatment of potassium levels is essential. National Kidney Foundation
A patient’s serum creatinine rises to 2.5 times baseline within 48 hours with oliguria. According to KDIGO, what stage of acute kidney injury is this?
Stage 2
Stage 1
Stage 3
Stage 0
KDIGO defines Stage 2 AKI as a serum creatinine increase of 2.0–2.9 times baseline. Stage 1 is 1.5–1.9 times, and Stage 3 is??3.0 times or when dialysis is initiated. Proper staging guides prognosis and management. KDIGO
Which mechanism contributes to diuretic resistance in prolonged oliguria?
Hypertrophy of distal tubular cells
Enhanced proximal sodium secretion
Increased glomerular filtration
Downregulation of aldosterone release
Chronic diuretic exposure can cause distal tubular cell hypertrophy, reducing drug efficacy. This adaptation allows more sodium reabsorption downstream. Understanding resistance mechanisms helps adjust therapy. AJKD
In intrinsic renal oliguria, the fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) is typically:
>2%
<1%
Exactly 1%
Negligible
Intrinsic renal injury like acute tubular necrosis leads to tubular damage and impaired sodium reabsorption, resulting in FENa >2%. In prerenal causes, FENa is usually <1%. This lab distinction is critical for differential diagnosis. Kidney International
Which imaging finding is most indicative of postrenal oliguria due to obstructive uropathy?
Hydronephrosis on renal ultrasound
Cortical thinning on CT scan
Renal artery stenosis on Doppler
Perinephric fluid collection
Hydronephrosis on ultrasound suggests urinary tract obstruction leading to postrenal oliguria. Cortical thinning indicates chronic damage, and artery stenosis or perinephric fluid reflect other pathologies. Ultrasound is first-line for obstruction. Radiology Key
Which pharmacologic agent is used to relieve oliguria caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia?
Tamsulosin
Spironolactone
Furosemide
Metoprolol
Tamsulosin, an alpha-1 blocker, relaxes smooth muscle in the prostate and bladder neck, improving urine flow in BPH. Diuretics and beta-blockers have no direct benefit, and spironolactone targets aldosterone. Appropriate drug selection can avert catheterization. UpToDate
ACE inhibitors can precipitate oliguria by which renal hemodynamic effect?
Dilating the efferent arteriole and reducing GFR
Constraining the afferent arteriole
Increasing proximal tubular sodium reabsorption
Enhancing renin release
ACE inhibitors block angiotensin II–mediated efferent arteriole constriction, causing vasodilation and a drop in glomerular filtration pressure. In patients reliant on efferent tone, GFR falls and oliguria may result. Monitoring renal function when initiating ACE inhibitors is critical. MDCalc
In hemodynamically unstable oliguric patients requiring dialysis, which modality is preferred?
Continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH)
Intermittent hemodialysis
Peritoneal dialysis
Sustained low-efficiency dialysis
CVVH provides gradual fluid and solute removal, offering better hemodynamic stability for critically ill, hypotensive patients. Intermittent hemodialysis can cause rapid shifts leading to instability. Modality choice tailors to patient status. Kidney International
Compared to nonoliguric acute kidney injury, oliguric AKI is associated with:
Higher mortality and worse prognosis
Lower incidence of electrolyte disturbances
Better recovery of renal function
Reduced need for renal replacement therapy
Oliguric AKI carries higher mortality, more severe fluid and electrolyte imbalances, and often a greater need for dialysis than nonoliguric forms. Nonoliguric patients typically have better renal perfusion and outcomes. This distinction informs prognostication and management. PMC
Hepatorenal syndrome–related oliguria primarily results from:
Intense renal vasoconstriction mediated by RAAS activation
Intrinsic glomerular inflammation
Urinary tract obstruction from ascites
Direct hepatotoxic effect on nephrons
In hepatorenal syndrome, systemic vasodilation leads to effective hypovolemia and activates RAAS and sympathetic systems, causing intense renal vasoconstriction and oliguria. There is no intrinsic kidney damage or obstruction. Recognizing this mechanism guides vasoconstrictor therapy. Kidney International
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand renal physiology related to scanty urinary output -

    Learn the underlying mechanisms of oliguria and how decreased urine output reflects changes in kidney function in urinary system disorders.

  2. Identify oliguria symptoms on NCLEX-style scenarios -

    Recognize and differentiate clinical signs of scanty urinary output in practice quiz questions to reinforce concept retention.

  3. Analyze urine output assessment techniques -

    Evaluate methods for accurate measurement and documentation of urine volume, essential for effective patient monitoring.

  4. Interpret urinary system disorders quiz questions -

    Apply critical thinking to NCLEX-style items, improving your ability to select correct answers related to renal pathology and oliguria.

  5. Apply management strategies for renal disorders -

    Develop evidence-based interventions to address oliguria and other urinary system disorders in clinical scenarios.

  6. Evaluate patient data for renal function -

    Integrate lab values and symptom assessment to make informed decisions in renal disorder practice quiz settings.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Defining Scanty Urinary Output (Oliguria) -

    Oliguria is classically defined as urine output under 400 mL/day or less than 0.5 mL/kg/h in adults, making scanty urinary output a red flag in any urinary system disorders quiz. Remember "0.5 and 500": under 0.5 mL/kg/h or under 500 mL/day signals trouble, so always calculate hourly rates for accurate urine output assessment.

  2. Etiology Breakdown: Prerenal, Intrinsic, Postrenal -

    Use the PRE mnemonic - Prerenal (hypovolemia), Renal (acute tubular necrosis), and Postrenal (obstruction) - to categorize causes of oliguria symptoms. This three-bucket approach anchors your understanding in both NCLEX-style questions and renal disorder practice quiz scenarios by linking pathophysiology to targeted interventions.

  3. Urine Output Assessment Techniques -

    Accurate urine output assessment requires tools like graduated urometers or calibrated bedpans and consistent documentation over 24 hours; goal outputs exceed 0.5 mL/kg/h in adults. In urinary system disorders quiz practice, always note volume trends alongside color and specific gravity to differentiate dehydration from intrinsic renal damage.

  4. Key Lab Values and Calculations -

    BUN/Cr ratio >20:1 often indicates prerenal oliguria, while a fractional excretion of sodium (FENa) <1% confirms it. Master the FENa formula - (UNa × PCr) / (PNa × UCr) × 100 - and use the mnemonic "UNa PC over PNa UC" for rapid recall during exams.

  5. NCLEX-Style Intervention Strategies -

    When tackling scanty urinary output scenarios, pinpoint fluid status first - bolus isotonic fluids for prerenal causes, diuretics for intrinsic edema, and immediate relief of obstruction in postrenal cases. Practice with question banks labeled "oliguria symptoms NCLEX" to sharpen decision-making and boost your confidence before test day.

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