When palpating a patient’s bladder, which question should the nurse ask if the bladder is firm and distended?

When the bladder is firm and distended during palpation, it is crucial for the nurse to determine when the patient last voided. This helps assess the patient's urinary retention status and guides further evaluation or interventions. Asking about the timing of the last urination can provide insight into whether the patient may be experiencing acute urinary retention, which can be a medical emergency requiring prompt treatment.

This information is essential for understanding the underlying issue, as an absence of recent voiding could point to various conditions, such as urinary obstruction or neurological issues impacting bladder control. In contrast, the other questions pertain to different aspects of urinary health or systemic symptoms but do not directly address the immediate concern of bladder distention.