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Urinary Catheter Care and UTI Prevention

Indwelling urinary catheters require aseptic insertion and diligent care to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

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Key Points to Know

What you must know about Catheter Care

1

Insert catheters using strict aseptic technique to prevent infection.

2

Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder to prevent backflow of urine.

3

Maintain a closed drainage system — do not disconnect unnecessarily.

4

Provide perineal (meatal) hygiene and secure the catheter to prevent trauma.

5

Encourage adequate fluid intake unless contraindicated to maintain urine flow.

6

Remove the catheter as early as clinically possible to reduce CAUTI risk.

NMCN Exam Tips

How this topic appears in the NMCN exam

Always keep the drainage bag BELOW bladder level to prevent reflux/infection.

Aseptic technique during insertion is essential.

Maintaining a closed system reduces infection risk.

Early removal is the best way to prevent CAUTI.

Practice Question

Test yourself

To prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection, the nurse should ensure that the urine drainage bag is:

A.Kept above the level of the bladder
B.Kept below the level of the bladder at all times✓ Correct
C.Emptied only once every 24 hours
D.Disconnected regularly for cleaning

Explanation

The drainage bag must always be kept below the level of the bladder to allow urine to drain by gravity and prevent backflow of contaminated urine into the bladder, which would increase infection risk. The closed system should be maintained.

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