Final answer:
In an open irrigation technique, the nurse should handle all equipment aseptically, instill the prescribed amount of sterile fluid into the catheter, subtract the volume used from the client's urine output, and use an appropriate-size syringe for the procedure.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse is using an open irrigation technique to irrigate a client's indwelling urinary catheter, it is essential to follow aseptic techniques to minimize the risk of infection. The nurse should ensure the irrigation fluid is sterile and that all equipment is handled properly to reduce contamination. Whilst the specific actions for open irrigation can vary slightly, generally the nurse would:
- Use a clean technique to minimize infection risk.
- Instill a prescribed amount of irrigation fluid into the catheter, which could be 15 ml or as per doctor's orders.
- Maintain accurate records of the fluid instilled and subtract the volume of the irrigant used from the client's total urine output to ensure proper intake and output calculations.
- Perform the irrigation using an appropriate-size syringe, which could be a 20-ml syringe or as specified in the procedure protocol.
It's also vital to maintain patient comfort during the procedure, which may involve placing the patient in an appropriate position such as side-lying, although specific positioning would depend on the individual client's needs and condition.