ATI Leadership Practice B Related

Review ATI Leadership Practice B related questions and content

When using an open irrigation technique to irrigate a client's indwelling urinary catheter, which of the following actions should the nurse take?

  • A. Position the client in a side-lying position.
  • B. Perform the irrigation using a 20-mL syringe.
  • C. Instill 15 mL of irrigation fluid into the catheter with each flush.
  • D. Measure and record the amount of irrigant used.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Perform the irrigation using a 20-mL syringe. This is the correct action because using a 20-mL syringe allows for precise and controlled instillation of the irrigation fluid into the catheter. Using a smaller syringe helps prevent excessive pressure within the catheter, reducing the risk of trauma or damage to the client's urinary system.

A: Positioning the client in a side-lying position is not essential for open irrigation technique, as long as the client is comfortable and the procedure can be safely performed.
C: Instilling 15 mL of irrigation fluid with each flush may not be appropriate as the volume needed may vary based on the client's condition.
D: Although measuring and recording the amount of irrigant used is important for documentation purposes, it is not the immediate action to ensure the safe and effective irrigation of the catheter.