Urinary Catheter Review

The main purpose of a urinary catheter is to:

• Evacuate or collect urine

• Prevent urinary incontinence

• Treat urinary tract infections

• Irrigate the bladder

An “indwelling catheter”

• Is inserted into the bladder to drain the bladder, then removed

• Is applied to the male genitalia like a condom

• Is applied to the female genitalia with suction

• Is inserted into the bladder and held in place by a small balloon

Patients who have indwelling catheters are at risk for:

• Decreased appetite

• Constipation

• Urinary tract infections

• Urinary retention

Urine specimens taken from a drainage bag:

• Cannot be used because it's too fresh

• Cannot be used because it will most likely contain bacteria

• Is convenient and acceptable

• Is acceptable as long as it is taken from the bag at the end of the shift

The urinary drainage bag should always hang from the _______:

• Bed frame

• Side rail

• Foot board

• Head board

The urinary drainage bag should never touch ______. Which of the following is correct?

• Bed

• Sheets

• Patient

• Floor

When seated in a wheelchair the patient’s urinary drainage bag should hang from:

• The arm of the wheelchair

• The wheel of the wheelchair

• The crossbars under the wheelchair

• The handle of the wheelchair

How often should an indwelling urinary drainage bag be emptied?

• Once a day

• Three times a day

• As needed

• When its completely full

The spigot of the indwelling catheter bag should be cleaned with ______ after draining the bag and before placing back in its holder:

• Disinfectant

• Peroxide

• An alcohol prep

• A dry tissue

What should be done if you find the indwelling catheter disconnected from the drainage bag tubing?

• Discard the drainage bag and replace with a new one

• Report to the nurse in charge so they can remove the catheter

• Wipe the two ends with an alcohol swab and reconnect

• Reconnect the two ends and report the finding to the nurse in charge