Question

The physical orders catheter irrigation with sterile saline solution every four hours. Since the urine has been clear and the catheter patent for the last two days, the nurse should consider:

a. increasing the patients fluid intake to flush the bladder
b. beginning bladder training in preparation for catheter removal
c. questioning the present order because of risk of infection from frequent irrigations
d. continuing to irrigate every four hours because the physician wrote the order

Answer 1

The nurse should consider questioning the current irrigation frequency due to the risk of UTIs. The correct answer is option d.

Step-by-step explanation:

Since the patient's urine has been clear and the catheter patent for the last two days, the nurse should consider questioning the present order because of the risk of infection from frequent irrigations. Indwelling urinary catheters are a known risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTIs), and over-irrigation can potentially increase this risk.

Given that the catheter seems to be functioning well without signs of blockage or infection, continued irrigation every four hours may not be necessary and the nurse should consider consulting with the physician to reassess the need for this frequency of catheter irrigation.

Alternatively, the nurse could consider beginning bladder training in preparation for catheter removal if the patient's overall condition permits. Bladder training facilitates the return of normal bladder function and can be an important step before catheter withdrawal.