CNA Catheter Care and Urinary Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: How often should perineal catheter care be performed for a patient with an indwelling catheter?
- Once a week
- Once a day
- At least twice daily and after each bowel movement (Correct answer)
- Only when the patient complains of discomfort
Correct answer: At least twice daily and after each bowel movement
Catheter care should be performed at least twice daily and after every bowel movement to reduce the risk of infection.
Question 2: Where must the urinary drainage bag always be positioned relative to the patient's bladder?
- At the same level as the bladder
- Above the level of the bladder
- Below the level of the bladder (Correct answer)
- At shoulder height when patient is seated
Correct answer: Below the level of the bladder
The drainage bag must always be kept below bladder level to allow gravity drainage and prevent urine backflow.
Question 3: Which action is most important in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs)?
- Replacing the catheter every 48 hours
- Keeping the drainage system closed and intact (Correct answer)
- Irrigating the catheter with antiseptic solution daily
- Using a smaller catheter size
Correct answer: Keeping the drainage system closed and intact
Maintaining a closed drainage system is the single most effective measure to prevent CAUTIs by preventing bacterial entry.
Question 4: A CNA notices that a patient's urine in the drainage bag appears cloudy with sediment. What is the appropriate action?
- Empty the bag and document the findings
- Irrigate the catheter with sterile saline
- Report the finding to the nurse immediately (Correct answer)
- Increase the patient's fluid intake and recheck in 2 hours
Correct answer: Report the finding to the nurse immediately
Cloudy urine with sediment may indicate a urinary tract infection or other complication and must be reported to the nurse promptly.
Question 5: When should the urinary drainage bag be emptied?
- Only when it is completely full
- Every 8 hours or when it is two-thirds full (Correct answer)
- Once every 24 hours at shift change
- Whenever the patient requests it
Correct answer: Every 8 hours or when it is two-thirds full
The drainage bag should be emptied every 8 hours or when two-thirds full to prevent backflow and overflow.
Question 6: A patient with an indwelling catheter has had no urine output for 2 hours. What should the CNA do first?
- Increase IV fluid rate
- Check the catheter tubing for kinks or blockage (Correct answer)
- Remove and replace the catheter
- Document the finding and continue monitoring
Correct answer: Check the catheter tubing for kinks or blockage
The first step is to check for simple mechanical causes such as kinks, compression, or blockage in the tubing before escalating.
Question 7: The catheter has become accidentally disconnected from the drainage tubing. What should the CNA do?
- Reconnect the tubing using an alcohol swab to clean the connection
- Do not reconnect; notify the nurse and keep both ends covered (Correct answer)
- Wipe the ends with a clean cloth and reconnect
- Replace the drainage bag only, keeping the same catheter
Correct answer: Do not reconnect; notify the nurse and keep both ends covered
A disconnected catheter system is considered contaminated; the CNA should notify the nurse who will determine whether the entire system needs replacement.
CNA Catheter Care and Urinary Management 3
How often should perineal catheter care be performed for a patient with an indwelling catheter?