Catheter Care and Urinary Management Flashcards
34 cards from real CNA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 20 Catheter Care and Urinary Management flashcards as text
What is the PRIMARY purpose of an indwelling urinary (Foley) catheter?
Answer: To drain urine continuously from the bladder
An indwelling catheter is a tube inserted into the bladder to continuously drain urine. It is used for urinary retention, monitoring output, or when residents cannot void independently.
When caring for a resident with an indwelling catheter, the drainage bag should ALWAYS be kept:
Answer: Below the level of the bladder
The drainage bag must be kept below the level of the bladder at all times to use gravity for drainage and to prevent urine from backflowing into the bladder, which could cause infection.
A CNA is transferring a catheterized resident from the bed to a wheelchair. What should be done with the catheter bag?
Answer: Secure the bag below the bladder level on the wheelchair frame, not on the floor
The catheter bag must remain below bladder level during all transfers to maintain gravity drainage and prevent backflow. It should never touch the floor (infection risk) or be disconnected.
Catheter tubing should NEVER be kinked or compressed because:
Answer: It blocks urine flow, causing bladder distension and risk of infection
Kinked or compressed tubing blocks urine drainage, causing urine to accumulate in the bladder (distension) and increasing the risk of urinary tract infection and catheter complications.
How often should perineal care be performed for a resident with an indwelling catheter?
Answer: At least once daily and after each bowel movement
Perineal hygiene should be performed at least once daily and after each bowel movement to remove bacteria near the catheter insertion site, the primary route for catheter-associated UTIs.
When performing catheter perineal care, the CNA should clean:
Answer: From the meatus outward along the catheter tubing
Clean from the urethral meatus outward along the catheter (away from the body) using a single downward stroke per wipe. This removes bacteria from the insertion site and prevents introducing new organisms.
Which of the following is a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in a catheterized resident?
Answer: Cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine and fever
Signs of catheter-associated UTI include cloudy or dark urine, strong or foul odor, decreased output, sediment, fever, chills, and complaints of burning or pelvic discomfort.
The CNA notes that the catheter bag has not had any drainage for two hours. The BEST first action is to:
Answer: Check the tubing for kinks, clamps, or compression, then report to the nurse
No drainage for 2 hours may indicate a kinked tube, full bag, or catheter obstruction. Check for mechanical causes first; if resolved drainage still doesn't resume, notify the nurse.
A catheterized resident complains of pain and pressure in the lower abdomen. The CNA should:
Answer: Check catheter tubing and drainage, then report to the nurse promptly
Lower abdominal pain and pressure in a catheterized resident may indicate bladder spasm, obstruction, or infection. Check for drainage issues and report symptoms immediately to the nurse.
When should the CNA wear gloves during catheter care?
Answer: During all catheter care and when handling the drainage bag or tubing
Gloves must be worn during all catheter care, including perineal hygiene, handling the catheter tubing, and emptying the drainage bag, because urine is a body fluid and a potential infection source.
How should the CNA empty a urinary drainage bag?
Answer: Use the drain port at the bottom of the bag, collect in a graduate cylinder, and measure output
Empty the bag through the drain port into a clean graduate cylinder, measure the output, document it, and close the port securely. Never disconnect the system at the catheter junction.
How full should the drainage bag be allowed to get before emptying?
Answer: Empty when it reaches about two-thirds to three-quarters full
Catheter drainage bags should be emptied when about 2/3 to 3/4 full to prevent overfilling, which can create back-pressure, raise the bag above bladder level, or cause urine backflow.
The CNA should NEVER allow the drain spigot of the catheter bag to touch:
Answer: Anything other than the inside of the sterile collection container
The drain spigot is a critical infection control point. If it touches a non-sterile surface (floor, graduate outside rim, toilet), it must be cleaned per policy before closing to prevent introducing bacteria into the system.
Securing the catheter tubing to the resident's inner thigh is done to:
Answer: Prevent traction on the urethra and reduce discomfort
Securing the catheter to the thigh with a leg strap or tape prevents the catheter from pulling on the urethra, reducing irritation, discomfort, and the risk of catheter dislodgement.
A condom (external) catheter is used for:
Answer: Male residents with urinary incontinence who can void on their own
A condom catheter is a non-invasive device that fits over the penis and collects urine as the resident voids normally. It is an option for male residents with incontinence who retain the ability to urinate.
Which of the following should be reported when monitoring a catheterized resident?
Answer: Cloudy brown urine with sediment and strong odor
Cloudy, brown, or foul-smelling urine with sediment is abnormal and may indicate infection, dehydration, or other pathology. This must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Normal urine output for an adult is approximately:
Answer: 800–2,000 mL per day
Normal adult urine output is approximately 800–2,000 mL per day (about 30–50 mL/hour). Output significantly below 30 mL/hour may indicate dehydration or kidney problems.
Oliguria is defined as urine output:
Answer: Less than 400 mL per day
Oliguria means abnormally low urine output, generally less than 400 mL per day in adults. It is a sign of possible kidney dysfunction, severe dehydration, or shock and must be reported.
When documenting urine output, the CNA should record:
Answer: The exact measured amount in milliliters, time of measurement, and characteristics
Accurate fluid balance records require exact measurements in mL, timing, and a description of urine characteristics (color, clarity) to track trends and detect problems early.
What is the MOST important step for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)?
Answer: Maintaining a closed drainage system and practicing proper hand hygiene
The closed drainage system is the most critical infection prevention measure. The system (catheter-to-tubing-to-bag junction) should never be broken, and hand hygiene must be performed before and after all catheter care.