Which term refers to decreased urine output?

The term that refers to decreased urine output is "oliguria." Oliguria is clinically defined as the production of less than 400 milliliters of urine per day in adults, which indicates that the kidneys are not filtering waste effectively or that there is an underlying health issue affecting kidney function or fluid balance.

Understanding oliguria is important in clinical settings because it can be a sign of dehydration, kidney injury, or other medical conditions requiring immediate attention. Identifying oliguria allows healthcare professionals to monitor and potentially intervene in a patient's treatment to prevent further complications.

The other terms listed are associated with urinary output but define different conditions. For instance, anuria refers to an extremely low urine output, typically less than 100 milliliters per day, indicating complete renal failure. Polyuria describes the production of an abnormally large volume of urine, often seen in conditions like diabetes. Hydruria is not a standard medical term and does not accurately describe urine output; it may imply excess fluid but is not related to urine volume in clinical terminology.