Final answer:
The nurse should deflate the balloon using a syringe before gently removing the patient's indwelling urinary catheter. It is important to ensure that removal is not done against the patient's will and that the procedure is done with care to prevent discomfort and injury.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct action a nurse should take when removing a patient's indwelling urinary catheter is to deflate the balloon before removal. This is a critical step because if the balloon is not deflated, it can cause significant trauma and pain to the urethra as it is being pulled out. The nurse should use a syringe to withdraw all the water from the balloon. After ensuring the balloon is fully deflated, the catheter can be gently and slowly removed to minimize discomfort. It's important to note that the action of removing the catheter should never be against the patient's will; informed consent is vital, and a patient's autonomy must be respected.
While sterile gloves are recommended for catheter insertion to prevent introducing bacteria into the urinary tract, they are not always necessary for removal unless there is a risk of coming into contact with bodily fluids or if the patient is immunocompromised. Removing the catheter quickly is not advisable as it may cause unnecessary pain or damage.