Final answer:
A medical assistant may insert a urinary catheter if directed, and it is essential to use sterile techniques to prevent nosocomial infections, such as UTIs, which can occur if bacteria are introduced during catheterization.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that a medical assistant may insert a urinary catheter if directed to do so. The role of medical assistants can vary depending on the specific office or healthcare setting, but they are often trained to perform this procedure under the supervision of a healthcare provider. It's essential for medical assistants to adhere to sterile techniques to minimize the risk of introducing bacteria into the urinary tract and causing an infection. During procedures such as surgeries, catheterization may introduce bacteria that could potentially lead to a urinary tract infection (UTI), particularly if the catheter or environment is not kept sterile. Therefore, proper training and protocol adherence are crucial to avoid nosocomial infections, which are infections acquired in the hospital setting. For example, in the Clinical Focus cases mentioned, Marisa and Roberta's UTIs might have been caused by the introduction of normal gut bacteria into the urinary tract during catheterization.