Urinary Catheterization Flashcards
7 cards from real PCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Urinary Catheterization flashcards as text
What is the normal urinary output for an adult patient?
Answer: 30 mL per hour or at least 720 mL per day
A urine output of at least 30 mL/hour (approximately 720 mL/day) is considered the minimum acceptable output indicating adequate kidney perfusion.
What action should the PCT take if resistance is encountered during catheter insertion?
Answer: Stop, withdraw the catheter, and notify the nurse
Forcing a catheter against resistance can cause urethral trauma; the PCT must stop and notify the nurse or provider to assess the situation.
Which of the following best describes how to clean the urethral meatus of a female patient during catheter insertion?
Answer: Use one wipe for each stroke, always moving from the meatus outward
Each cleansing stroke must use a fresh swab moving from the clean meatus outward to prevent contamination of the sterile urethral opening.
What color and characteristics indicate normal urine?
Answer: Clear to pale yellow with a faint odor
Normal urine is clear to pale yellow and may have a faint odor; significant color changes or cloudiness can indicate dehydration, infection, or other conditions.
When removing an indwelling urinary catheter, what is the first step?
Answer: Deflate the balloon completely by withdrawing all the fluid from the balloon port
The balloon must be fully deflated before removal to prevent urethral trauma; withdrawing all fluid from the balloon port ensures safe, atraumatic removal.
Which of the following must be documented after urinary catheter insertion?
Answer: Date, time, catheter size/type, balloon volume, urine color/amount, and patient response
Complete catheterization documentation includes date, time, catheter specifications, balloon volume, urine characteristics, output amount, and how the patient tolerated the procedure.
A patient with an indwelling catheter reports lower abdominal discomfort and the drainage bag shows no urine output for 2 hours despite adequate fluid intake. What should the PCT do?
Answer: Check for kinks in the tubing and notify the nurse if the problem persists
The first action is to check for common mechanical causes (kinked or obstructed tubing), then immediately report to the nurse if output does not resume, as this may indicate a blocked or displaced catheter.