Following a Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP), a patient has continuous bladder irrigation (CBI) running. On assessment, the drainage in the collection bag is bright red with frequent large dark blood clots, and the patient reports severe lower abdominal spasms. What is the priority nursing action?
Large blood clots with severe bladder spasms suggest clot retention or catheter obstruction. Manually irrigating with sterile normal saline as prescribed can restore catheter patency. Assess drainage and escalate promptly if obstruction persists or bleeding remains heavy.