Question

While inserting an indwelling urinary catheter into a female client the catheter slips into the clients vagina. What would the PN do?

Answer 1

If a catheter slips into a client's vagina, a Practical Nurse should obtain a new catheter, leave the misplaced one as a landmark, and insert the new catheter properly into the urethra to prevent urinary tract infections and maintain safety.

Step-by-step explanation:

When inserting an indwelling urinary catheter into a female client and the catheter slips into the client's vagina, the Practical Nurse (PN) should maintain sterile technique while obtaining a new catheter and attempt the insertion again. The PN should not use the same catheter that was mistakenly inserted into the vagina as this could introduce bacteria into the urinary tract. Instead, leave the misplaced catheter in the vagina to serve as a landmark for the correct placement of the new catheter into the urethra. After successfully inserting the urinary catheter, the one in the vagina should be removed. This practice helps prevent urinary tract infections (UTIs) and ensures the client's safety during catheterization.