Question

A nurse is caring for a female patient whose urinary retention has not responded to conservative treatment. When educating this patient about self-catheterization, the nurse should encourage what practice?

A) Assuming a supine position for self-catheterization
B) Using clean technique at home to catheterize
C) Inserting the catheter 1 to 2 inches into the urethra
D) Self-catheterizing every 2 hours at home

Answer 1

When educating the patient about self-catheterization, it is important to encourage clean technique at home, with proper handwashing and aseptic procedures. The insertion depth of the catheter should be instructed by the healthcare provider. The frequency of self-catheterization should be based on the patient's individual needs and condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

When educating the female patient about self-catheterization, the nurse should encourage using clean technique at home to catheterize. Clean technique involves maintaining cleanliness and hygiene during the catheterization process to prevent infections. The patient must also be educated on proper handwashing and following aseptic procedures.

It is important to note that the insertion depth of the catheter varies depending on the patient's anatomy and healthcare provider's instructions. The nurse should teach the patient to insert the catheter as instructed by their healthcare provider, which may be more than 1 to 2 inches.

Self-catheterizing every 2 hours at home (option D) may not be necessary unless specifically instructed by the healthcare provider. The frequency of self-catheterization should be determined based on the patient's individual needs and condition.