Which interventions can reduce the incidence of pressure injuries in hospitalized clients? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Flushing the catheter system daily is not recommended for CAUTI prevention. It disrupts the closed system, increasing the risk of introducing pathogens into the bladder. Maintaining a sterile, closed drainage system is critical to prevent bacterial entry, and flushing is only indicated for specific blockages, not routine care.

Choice B reason: Obtaining a urine specimen for culture every 24 hours is not a preventive measure for CAUTI. Routine culturing is unnecessary unless infection is suspected, as it increases manipulation of the catheter system, risking contamination. Cultures are diagnostic, not preventive, and frequent sampling may introduce bacteria, counteracting infection control efforts.

Choice C reason: Securing the catheter prevents movement, reducing trauma to the urethra and bladder mucosa. Movement can cause microtears, allowing bacterial entry and colonization, leading to CAUTI. Proper anchoring ensures the catheter remains stable, minimizing irritation and maintaining the integrity of the urinary tract’s natural barriers against infection.

Choice D reason: Inspecting urine for color, odor, and consistency monitors for signs of infection but does not prevent CAUTI. Changes like cloudiness or foul odor indicate an existing infection, not prevention. While useful for early detection, it is a reactive measure, not a proactive intervention to reduce the incidence of catheter-related infections.

Choice E reason: Maintaining a closed drainage system is critical for CAUTI prevention. A closed system minimizes bacterial entry into the catheter and bladder by preventing disconnection or external contamination. Breaks in the system, such as during bag changes, increase infection risk, making this a key intervention to reduce pathogen introduction.

Choice A reason: Providing sputum specimens every 2 weeks is not standard for tuberculosis treatment monitoring. Sputum cultures are typically collected monthly to assess treatment response until conversion to negative, usually within 2-3 months of effective therapy. Biweekly testing is excessive and not supported by guidelines, as it does not align with typical microbial clearance timelines.

Choice B reason: Expecting sputum cultures to be negative after 6 months of therapy is accurate for tuberculosis treatment with isoniazid, rifampin, and pyrazinamide. Effective multidrug therapy typically renders sputum cultures negative within 2-6 months, indicating reduced bacterial load and treatment success, assuming adherence and no drug resistance, aligning with standard TB treatment protocols.

Choice C reason: Drinking 8 ounces of water with pyrazinamide is not a specific requirement. While hydration is important, pyrazinamide does not require a specific fluid volume for administration. It is taken orally, and no evidence suggests water intake enhances efficacy or reduces side effects like hepatotoxicity or hyperuricemia, which are managed differently.

Choice D reason: Taking isoniazid with an antacid is incorrect. Antacids can reduce isoniazid absorption by altering gastric pH, decreasing bioavailability. Isoniazid should be taken on an empty stomach for optimal absorption, as food or antacids may interfere with its pharmacokinetics, potentially reducing its effectiveness against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.