Adult Health 2 Exam 1 Related

Review Adult Health 2 Exam 1 related questions and content

The nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. What is the most important action to prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI)?

  • A. Perform hand hygiene before and after handling the catheter
  • B. Change the catheter every 72 hours
  • C. Apply antibiotic ointment at the insertion site
  • D. Irrigate the catheter daily
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Performing hand hygiene before and after handling the catheter is crucial in preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). This practice helps minimize the risk of introducing harmful microorganisms into the urinary tract. Changing the catheter every 72 hours is not recommended unless clinically indicated as it can increase the risk of infection. Applying antibiotic ointment at the insertion site is not a standard practice and may contribute to antibiotic resistance. Irrigating the catheter daily is unnecessary and can introduce pathogens into the urinary tract, increasing the risk of infection.