When inserting a urinary catheter into a female patient, the catheter accidentally enters the vagina. What should the nurse do?

Correct answer: A. Leave it as a landmark and insert a new sterile catheter

  • A. Leave it as a landmark and insert a new sterile catheter
  • B. Remove it, clean the catheter, and use it again
  • C. Advance it further and inflate the balloon in the vagina
  • D. Withdraw it slightly and redirect the same catheter

Explanation

A catheter placed in the vagina is contaminated and should remain there as a landmark while a new sterile catheter is obtained. Reusing or redirecting the contaminated catheter increases the risk of introducing microorganisms into the urinary tract.

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About Elimination and Catheterisation

Elimination care covers normal bowel and urinary patterns, constipation, diarrhoea, incontinence, retention, enemas, ostomies and specimen collection. Catheterisation includes indications, catheter types, insertion principles, drainage-bag care and prevention of urinary infection, with attention to the difference between urinary retention and incontinence.

Practise Elimination and Catheterisation

50 free Elimination and Catheterisation MCQs from Fundamentals of Nursing, each with the correct answer and an explanation. Unlimited attempts, no account needed.

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