HESI Fundamentals Exam Related

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What is the most important action for the nurse to take to prevent infection in a client who has just returned from surgery with an indwelling urinary catheter in place?

  • A. Change the catheter every 72 hours.
  • B. Ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks.
  • C. Clean the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily.
  • D. Irrigate the catheter with normal saline every shift.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The most important action to prevent infection in a client with an indwelling urinary catheter is to ensure the catheter tubing is free of kinks. This action helps prevent obstruction, ensures proper drainage, and reduces the risk of infection. Changing the catheter every 72 hours is not necessary unless clinically indicated and may introduce unnecessary risk. Cleaning the perineal area with antiseptic solution daily is important for general hygiene but not the most critical action for catheter-related infection prevention. Irrigating the catheter with normal saline every shift is not a routine nursing intervention for catheter care and may increase the risk of introducing pathogens.