PCT Urinary Catheterization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the acronym CAUTI stand for?
- Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (Correct answer)
- Chronic And Urgent Treatment Initiative
- Catheter Assistance Utility Training Index
- Clinical Assessment of Urological Tissue Integrity
Correct answer: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection
CAUTI stands for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, one of the most common healthcare-associated infections that catheterization aims to prevent.
Question 2: Which of the following is a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in a catheterized patient?
- Clear, pale yellow urine with no odor
- Urine output of 60 mL per hour
- Cloudy, foul-smelling urine with patient complaints of burning (Correct answer)
- Slightly amber urine after low fluid intake
Correct answer: Cloudy, foul-smelling urine with patient complaints of burning
Cloudy, foul-smelling urine combined with patient discomfort are classic signs of a UTI, which must be reported to the nurse immediately.
Question 3: How often should the urinary drainage bag typically be emptied?
- Only when it is completely full
- Every 8 hours or when two-thirds full, whichever comes first (Correct answer)
- Every 24 hours during morning care
- Every 2 hours regardless of volume
Correct answer: Every 8 hours or when two-thirds full, whichever comes first
The drainage bag should be emptied every 8 hours or when two-thirds full to prevent overfilling, backflow, and infection risk.
Question 4: How far should a catheter typically be inserted into a female patient before inflating the balloon?
- 1–2 inches (2.5–5 cm)
- 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) or until urine flows, then 1 inch more (Correct answer)
- 6–8 inches (15–20 cm)
- Until resistance is felt
Correct answer: 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) or until urine flows, then 1 inch more
In females, the catheter is inserted 3–4 inches until urine begins to flow, then advanced 1 additional inch to ensure the balloon is fully inside the bladder before inflation.
Question 5: Where should the catheter tubing be secured after insertion?
- To the bed rail to keep it off the floor
- To the patient's inner thigh using a catheter securement device (Correct answer)
- Coiled loosely under the patient's mattress
- Taped to the abdomen in female patients
Correct answer: To the patient's inner thigh using a catheter securement device
Securing the catheter to the inner thigh prevents tension and traction on the urethra, reducing the risk of trauma and dislodgement.
Question 6: What is the maximum volume of urine that should be drained at one time during initial catheterization of a patient with urinary retention?
- 500 mL, then clamp and wait 30 minutes
- 1,000 mL, then clamp if ordered by the nurse/provider (Correct answer)
- Allow complete drainage without stopping
- 200 mL maximum per catheterization session
Correct answer: 1,000 mL, then clamp if ordered by the nurse/provider
Draining more than 1,000 mL at once from an over-distended bladder can cause hypotension and bleeding; the catheter may be clamped after 1,000 mL per provider order.
Question 7: What type of catheter is used for intermittent (in-and-out) catheterization?
- Foley catheter with a retention balloon
- Straight (Robinson) catheter without a balloon (Correct answer)
- Three-way catheter for irrigation
- Coude-tip catheter for all routine insertions
Correct answer: Straight (Robinson) catheter without a balloon
A straight (Robinson) catheter has no balloon and is inserted to drain urine and then immediately removed, making it appropriate for intermittent catheterization.
PCT Urinary Catheterization 2
What does the acronym CAUTI stand for?