Urinary Catheter Care Flashcards
7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Urinary Catheter Care flashcards as text
What is a suprapubic catheter?
Answer: A catheter inserted through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder
A suprapubic catheter is surgically placed through the lower abdominal wall above the pubic bone directly into the bladder, bypassing the urethra.
What is the correct procedure for emptying a urinary drainage bag?
Answer: Wear gloves, open the drain spout into a graduate, close the spout without contaminating it, and document output
Proper technique requires gloves, a clean measuring graduate, careful avoidance of drain spout contamination, and accurate documentation of output.
What does cloudy, dark, or foul-smelling urine most likely indicate in a catheterized patient?
Answer: A possible urinary tract infection or other complication requiring reporting
Changes in urine clarity, color, or odor are warning signs of possible infection or other complications and must be reported to the nurse immediately.
When is it required to wear gloves during urinary catheter care?
Answer: At all times during catheter care, including emptying the bag and perineal cleaning
Standard precautions require gloves whenever handling urine or any catheter component because urine is a body fluid and a potential source of infection.
What is the minimum acceptable urine output per hour for an adult patient?
Answer: 30 mL/hour
A urine output of at least 30 mL/hour indicates adequate kidney perfusion; output below this threshold must be reported to the nurse immediately.
When transporting a catheterized patient in a wheelchair, what is the most important precaution?
Answer: Keep the drainage bag below bladder level and secured to prevent pulling on the catheter
The drainage bag must remain below bladder level during transport to maintain gravity drainage and prevent backflow, while securing it prevents catheter trauma.
What is the correct method for securing a urinary catheter to reduce the risk of urethral trauma?
Answer: Secure the catheter to the inner thigh or lower abdomen using a catheter holder or medical tape
Securing the catheter to the inner thigh (female) or lower abdomen or thigh (male) prevents traction on the urethra and reduces the risk of trauma and accidental dislodgement.