Which action helps reduce infection risk when managing a patient with a urinary catheter?

• A. Replace daily regardless
• B. Use non-sterile gloves
• C. Regular catheter care and remove catheter when possible
• D. Insert new catheter weekly

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that infection risk with a urinary catheter is driven by how long the catheter stays in place and how well the system stays closed and free from contamination. Regular catheter care helps keep the meatal area clean and prevents contamination of the drainage system, while ensuring the drainage system remains closed and intact reduces the chance for bacteria to ascend into the bladder. Removing the catheter as soon as it’s no longer medically needed minimizes the duration of exposure to potential pathogens, which lowers the overall risk of catheter-associated infection.

Replacing the catheter daily or weekly insertions increase opportunities for introducing bacteria and cause more trauma or disruption of the sterile barrier, which can raise infection risk. Using non-sterile gloves undermines aseptic technique and can introduce organisms during care.