What is an essential nursing action to prevent infection when a patient has a urinary catheter?

• A. Use clean technique during insertion and leave the drainage bag open to air.
• B. Maintain sterile technique during insertion and ensure a closed drainage system; daily peri-care and proper catheter care.
• C. Change the catheter every shift to prevent stagnation.
• D. Administer prophylactic antibiotics daily to prevent infection.

Answer: (B)

Preventing infection with a urinary catheter hinges on keeping the pathway into the bladder as aseptic as possible and preserving a closed drainage system. Using sterile technique for insertion minimizes introducing bacteria into the urinary tract. Once in place, maintaining a closed drainage system prevents organisms from traveling up the catheter and reduces contamination from disconnections or exposure to air. Daily perineal care and meticulous catheter hygiene further reduce bacterial colonization around the catheter and meatus. Routine prophylactic antibiotics are not indicated for CAUTI prevention, and changing the catheter on a fixed schedule is not recommended because it can cause trauma and introduce infection.