The nurse is providing indwelling catheter care for a patient who is uncircumcised. What intervention will help prevent a catheter associated urinary tract infection?

A. Apply restraints to the patient's wrists. Restraints should be a last resort and only used when all other interventions have failed. Before restraining, less restrictive methods such as reorientation, supervision, and environmental modifications should be attempted first.

B. Turn on the patient’s bed alarm. While a bed alarm can alert staff if the patient attempts to get out of bed, it does not prevent the patient from pulling at their dressings and IV lines. More direct supervision is needed.

C. Administer a sedating medication. Sedation should be used cautiously, as it may increase the risk of falls, delirium, and respiratory depression. Non-pharmacologic interventions should be attempted first unless the patient is a danger to themselves or others.

D. Move the patient closer to the nurse’s station. This is the best first intervention. Placing the patient closer to the nurses' station allows for increased supervision and quicker intervention while also helping to reduce agitation through reassurance and reorientation.

A. Obtain daily urine specimens by opening the collection drainage system: Opening the drainage system increases the risk of introducing bacteria into the catheter, which can lead to infection.

B. Keep the urine collection bag below the level of the bladder at all times: Keeping the bag below the bladder prevents urine from back flowing into the bladder, which reduces the risk of infection.

C. Retract the foreskin to clean the catheter tubing and meatus outward, leaving the foreskin retracted: While the foreskin should be retracted for cleaning, it must always be returned to its normal position to prevent paraphimosis, a condition where the foreskin becomes trapped and restricts blood flow.

D. Change the indwelling catheter at least every one week: Routine catheter changes are not recommended unless there is an indication such as obstruction or infection. Unnecessary changes increase infection risk.