# A hospitalized client has an indwelling urinary catheter placed after surgery. Which nursing action best reduces catheter-associated urinary tract infection risk?

> source: MyMerci (mymerci.kr)  
> url: https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=en  
> language: en  
> subject: Standard/Transmission-Based Precautions/Surgical Asepsis  
> category: SIPC

## Question

A hospitalized client has an indwelling urinary catheter placed after surgery. Which nursing action best reduces catheter-associated urinary tract infection risk?

## Option

1. Disconnect the drainage tubing each shift to check flow.
2. Keep the drainage bag above the bladder while walking.
3. Assess daily whether the catheter is still needed. **✔ Correct answer**
4. Irrigate the catheter every 2 hours without an order.

**Correct answer: 3**

## Explanation

Daily assessment of catheter necessity supports prompt removal and reduces catheter days, a major CAUTI prevention strategy. The drainage system should remain closed, and the bag should stay below bladder level. Routine irrigation without indication increases risk.

## In-depth explanation

Clinical Judgment
The safest catheter is the one that is removed as soon as it is no longer needed.

Memory Tip
Closed system, bag below bladder, remove early.

## Clinical scenario

Clinical Practice Guide
CAUTI prevention includes appropriate indications, aseptic insertion, closed drainage, unobstructed flow, and timely removal.

Caution
Breaking the closed system can introduce organisms.

## Key concepts

- **CAUTI** — Catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
- **Closed Drainage System** — A catheter drainage system kept sealed to reduce contamination.
- **Catheter Days** — The number of days a urinary catheter remains in place.

## Related questions

- [A nurse on a medical-surgical unit is about to enter the private room of a client newly di…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361226&lang=en)
- [A 22-year-old female client presents to the emergency department with a 4-week history of …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361677&lang=en)
- [An 82-year-old client who is postoperative day 1 from a left hip arthroplasty calls the nu…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361678&lang=en)
- [A 65-year-old client admitted to the medical ICU with sepsis and acute delirium has just p…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361679&lang=en)
- [A new graduate registered nurse (RN) on a medical unit just hung an intravenous antibiotic…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=361710&lang=en)
- [A nurse is preparing to initiate carbamazepine for a client of Han Chinese descent with ne…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=391742&lang=en)
- [A client starting lamotrigine for bipolar disorder calls the clinic on day 18 reporting a …](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=391747&lang=en)
- [A nurse reviews the discharge medication list for a kidney transplant client. Which prophy…](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=391876&lang=en)

## Read in another language

- [en](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=en)
- [ko](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=ko)
- [ja](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=ja)
- [zh-TW](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=zh-tw)
- [vi](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_q.php?qn_id=394088&lang=vi)

---

More free questions: [NCLEX-RN Practice](https://mymerci.kr/pages/nclex_bank.php?lang=en)

_For study reference only. Always follow current clinical guidelines and your institution’s protocols._