The nurse is caring for a client with an indwelling urinary catheter. Which action best reduces the risk for catheter-associated urinary tract infection?

Maintaining a closed drainage system and removing the catheter as soon as it is no longer indicated reduce catheter-associated infection risk. Routine disconnection, irrigation, and improper bag placement introduce organisms or obstruct dependent drainage.

Quick answer
Keep the drainage system closed and discontinue the catheter promptly when its indication ends.

Why this is correct
An indwelling catheter provides a route for organisms to reach the urinary tract. A closed system limits entry, while daily review and prompt removal shorten exposure time, which is the most important modifiable risk.

Easy analogy or mental picture
The catheter system is like a sealed plumbing line: opening a connection creates an entry point, and leaving the line installed longer increases exposure. The analogy does not replace aseptic sampling or a valid clinical indication for continued catheterization.

Memory hook
CAUTI prevention follows two links: keep it closed and remove it early.

NCLEX decision rule
For catheter infection prevention, preserve a closed unobstructed system, keep the bag below the bladder and off the floor, and reassess the indication daily. Avoid routine opening or irrigation.

Why the other choices are wrong
Routine disconnection breaks the closed system. Scheduled irrigation is not a general prevention measure, and placing the bag on the bed can impair safe positioning and contaminate equipment.

Clinical Practice Guide
For CAUTI prevention, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.

Caution
Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.