Where should you measure the contents of a urinary drainage bag to ensure accuracy?

• A. On a barrier on the floor
• B. On the nurse's hand
• C. In a toilet
• D. At eye level on a flat surface

Answer: (D)

The key idea is accuracy by reading straight on. When you read the urinary drainage bag, you want to view the measurement marks directly at eye level to avoid parallax error—looking from an angle can make the level appear higher or lower than it really is. Placing the bag on a flat, stable surface keeps it level and the marks true. Reading from the floor, from the nurse’s hand, or trying to measure into a toilet introduces tilt, movement, or contamination risks and will yield an inaccurate reading. So, place the bag on a flat surface and read the volume at eye level for an accurate measurement.