Hematuria

Definition

Hematuria is the presence of blood in the urine. Gross hematuria is visible (pink, red, or tea-colored); microscopic hematuria is detected only on urinalysis.

Common Causes

• Urinary tract infection
• Kidney stones
• Bladder/kidney cancer (painless hematuria is red flag)
• BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia)
• Glomerulonephritis
• Trauma
• Anticoagulant therapy
• Strenuous exercise (transient)

Nursing Considerations

Obtain urinalysis, culture, renal imaging (CT), cystoscopy. Monitor vital signs, assess for blood clots. Rule out false-positive causes (menstruation, beeturia from beets, rhabdomyolysis). Teach patients to increase fluid intake, avoid bladder irritants, and complete antibiotics. Painless gross hematuria requires urology workup for malignancy.

NCLEX Relevance

Painless hematuria = investigate for malignancy.