In indwelling catheter care, which action is appropriate for female residents?

• A. Use the non-dominant hand to gently pull open the labia to expose the urethral meatus and the catheter insertion site; keep the hand in position.
• B. Lift the catheter with tweezers to cleanse around the meatus.
• C. Cleanse by wiping from the anus toward the urethral meatus.
• D. Remove the catheter before cleansing the area.

Answer: (A)

Exposure and proper hygiene around the urethral opening are the key elements. Gently spread the labia with the non-dominant hand to expose the urethral meatus and the catheter insertion site, and keep that hand in place to maintain a clear, stable field. This positioning lets you clean thoroughly and keeps the catheter and surrounding skin from being touched with dirty surfaces, which helps minimize infection risk and preserve the resident’s dignity.

Then use a clean wipe or cloth with your dominant hand to cleanse around the meatus, starting at the urethral opening and moving toward the back. Cleaning in this front-to-back direction helps move any potential contaminants away from the urinary tract.

Do not lift or manipulate the catheter with tweezers or other instruments, and never remove the catheter just to cleanse the area. Cleansing should be done with the catheter in place to maintain drainage and reduce the chance of introducing infection.