PCT Urinary Catheter Care 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of an indwelling urinary (Foley) catheter?
- To measure blood pressure
- To continuously drain urine from the bladder (Correct answer)
- To administer IV fluids
- To collect stool specimens
Correct answer: To continuously drain urine from the bladder
An indwelling Foley catheter is inserted into the bladder to continuously drain urine, used for patients who cannot void on their own.
Question 2: Where should 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)
- On the patient's bed beside them
Correct answer: Below the level of the bladder
The drainage bag must be kept below bladder level to allow gravity to drain urine and prevent backflow that could cause infection.
Question 3: How often should routine perineal catheter care typically be performed?
- Once per week
- Once per month
- At least once per shift or as needed (Correct answer)
- Only when the catheter is changed
Correct answer: At least once per shift or as needed
Catheter care should be performed at least once per shift and whenever soiled to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).
Question 4: What is the typical balloon inflation volume for a standard adult Foley catheter?
- 1 mL of air
- 5–10 mL of sterile water (Correct answer)
- 20–30 mL of saline
- 50 mL of sterile water
Correct answer: 5–10 mL of sterile water
Most adult Foley catheters use 5–10 mL of sterile water to inflate the retention balloon, which anchors the catheter inside the bladder.
Question 5: When inserting a urinary catheter, which principle is most important to maintain throughout the procedure?
- Use tap water to cleanse the urinary meatus
- Maintain a sterile field throughout the entire procedure (Correct answer)
- Reuse the catheter if the first insertion attempt fails
- Lubricate the catheter with petroleum jelly
Correct answer: Maintain a sterile field throughout the entire procedure
Strict sterile technique must be maintained throughout catheterization to prevent introducing bacteria into the bladder and causing infection.
Question 6: What does CAUTI stand for?
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (Correct answer)
- Chronic And Unusual Tract Inflammation
- Catheter Attached Urethra Testing Instrument
- Clinical Assessment of Urinary Tract Illness
Correct answer: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
CAUTI stands for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, the most common healthcare-associated infection linked to urinary catheters.
Question 7: Which finding suggests that a urinary catheter may be obstructed?
- Urine output is greater than 30 mL per hour
- Urine is clear and pale yellow
- Patient reports bladder fullness or discomfort with little or no drainage (Correct answer)
- The drainage bag is filling at a normal rate
Correct answer: Patient reports bladder fullness or discomfort with little or no drainage
Bladder fullness or discomfort accompanied by absent or minimal drainage indicates a possible catheter obstruction requiring prompt intervention.
PCT Urinary Catheter Care 1
What is the primary purpose of an indwelling urinary (Foley) catheter?