ATI Urinary Catheterization: Complete Nursing Skills Guide for
Sterile Technique, Catheter Insertion, Patient Care,
Complications, and Clinical Practice Review
Q1. A nurse is caring for a group of newly admitted clients. For which of the
following clients should the nurse suspect to receive a prescription for urinary
catheterization?
• A) A client who has urge incontinence
• B) A client who is in the ICU for a GI bleed
• C) A client who has a persistent UTI
• D) A client who has difficulty ambulating to the bathroom
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A client in the ICU with a GI bleed requires accurate measurement of
urinary output to monitor fluid status and renal perfusion. Urge incontinence,
persistent UTI, and difficulty ambulating are not appropriate indications for
indwelling catheterization.
Q2. Which of the following is an appropriate indication for indwelling urinary
catheterization?
• A) Urinary incontinence for staff convenience
• B) Acute urinary retention
• C) Immobility
• D) Client preference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute urinary retention is a valid medical indication for catheterization.
Incontinence, immobility, and client preference alone do not justify the risks of
catheterization.
,Q3. A nurse is discussing indications for urinary catheterization with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following indications should the nurse include?
• A) Urinary frequency
• B) Relief of urinary retention
• C) Nocturia
• D) Stress incontinence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Relief of urinary retention is a primary indication for urinary
catheterization. Urinary frequency, nocturia, and stress incontinence are not
indications for catheter placement.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client with an open perineal wound. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter
• B) Application of a condom catheter
• C) Intermittent straight catheterization
• D) Bladder training
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An open perineal wound is an appropriate indication for urinary
catheterization to prevent wound contamination from urine. Condom catheters
are for male patients with incontinence, and intermittent catheterization is not
indicated for wound protection.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a client who
is postoperative. Which of the following is an appropriate indication?
• A) The client is incontinent of urine
• B) The client is unable to void and has bladder distention
, • C) The client prefers not to use a bedpan
• D) The client has urinary frequency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Postoperative urinary retention with bladder distention is a valid
indication for catheterization. Incontinence, preference, and frequency are not
appropriate indications.
Q6. A nurse is evaluating a client's need for an indwelling urinary catheter.
Which of the following findings indicates the catheter should be removed?
• A) The client has an open sacral wound
• B) The client is in the ICU with hourly output monitoring ordered
• C) The client has acute urinary retention
• D) The client is now ambulating independently and voiding without
difficulty
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When the indication for catheterization has resolved (e.g., the client
can void independently), the catheter should be removed to reduce the risk of
CAUTI. Continued need is supported by open wounds, critical care monitoring, or
retention.
Q7. Which client should the nurse expect to receive a prescription for
intermittent urethral catheterization rather than an indwelling catheter?
• A) A client with neurogenic bladder
• B) A client who requires accurate output measurement for 24 hours
• C) A client who needs a one-time urine specimen
• D) A client with an open perineal wound
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Intermittent (straight) catheterization is appropriate for obtaining a
sterile urine specimen when a clean-catch is not possible. Indwelling catheters are
used for ongoing needs like neurogenic bladder, output monitoring, or wound
protection.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which type of
catheter should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed to facilitate urinary
elimination?
• A) Straight catheter
• B) Indwelling urinary catheter
• C) Condom catheter
• D) Suprapubic catheter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with spinal cord injuries often have neurogenic bladder and
require long-term bladder drainage, making an indwelling (Foley) catheter
appropriate. Intermittent catheterization may also be used, but indwelling is
common for continuous drainage.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has bladder outlet obstruction. Which of
the following actions should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter
• B) Administration of diuretics
• C) Fluid restriction
• D) Bladder training exercises
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bladder outlet obstruction prevents normal voiding and requires
catheterization to relieve urinary retention and prevent bladder distention.
Sterile Technique, Catheter Insertion, Patient Care,
Complications, and Clinical Practice Review
Q1. A nurse is caring for a group of newly admitted clients. For which of the
following clients should the nurse suspect to receive a prescription for urinary
catheterization?
• A) A client who has urge incontinence
• B) A client who is in the ICU for a GI bleed
• C) A client who has a persistent UTI
• D) A client who has difficulty ambulating to the bathroom
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A client in the ICU with a GI bleed requires accurate measurement of
urinary output to monitor fluid status and renal perfusion. Urge incontinence,
persistent UTI, and difficulty ambulating are not appropriate indications for
indwelling catheterization.
Q2. Which of the following is an appropriate indication for indwelling urinary
catheterization?
• A) Urinary incontinence for staff convenience
• B) Acute urinary retention
• C) Immobility
• D) Client preference
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acute urinary retention is a valid medical indication for catheterization.
Incontinence, immobility, and client preference alone do not justify the risks of
catheterization.
,Q3. A nurse is discussing indications for urinary catheterization with a newly
licensed nurse. Which of the following indications should the nurse include?
• A) Urinary frequency
• B) Relief of urinary retention
• C) Nocturia
• D) Stress incontinence
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Relief of urinary retention is a primary indication for urinary
catheterization. Urinary frequency, nocturia, and stress incontinence are not
indications for catheter placement.
Q4. A nurse is caring for a client with an open perineal wound. Which of the
following interventions should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter
• B) Application of a condom catheter
• C) Intermittent straight catheterization
• D) Bladder training
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: An open perineal wound is an appropriate indication for urinary
catheterization to prevent wound contamination from urine. Condom catheters
are for male patients with incontinence, and intermittent catheterization is not
indicated for wound protection.
Q5. A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a client who
is postoperative. Which of the following is an appropriate indication?
• A) The client is incontinent of urine
• B) The client is unable to void and has bladder distention
, • C) The client prefers not to use a bedpan
• D) The client has urinary frequency
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Postoperative urinary retention with bladder distention is a valid
indication for catheterization. Incontinence, preference, and frequency are not
appropriate indications.
Q6. A nurse is evaluating a client's need for an indwelling urinary catheter.
Which of the following findings indicates the catheter should be removed?
• A) The client has an open sacral wound
• B) The client is in the ICU with hourly output monitoring ordered
• C) The client has acute urinary retention
• D) The client is now ambulating independently and voiding without
difficulty
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: When the indication for catheterization has resolved (e.g., the client
can void independently), the catheter should be removed to reduce the risk of
CAUTI. Continued need is supported by open wounds, critical care monitoring, or
retention.
Q7. Which client should the nurse expect to receive a prescription for
intermittent urethral catheterization rather than an indwelling catheter?
• A) A client with neurogenic bladder
• B) A client who requires accurate output measurement for 24 hours
• C) A client who needs a one-time urine specimen
• D) A client with an open perineal wound
Correct Answer: C
, Rationale: Intermittent (straight) catheterization is appropriate for obtaining a
sterile urine specimen when a clean-catch is not possible. Indwelling catheters are
used for ongoing needs like neurogenic bladder, output monitoring, or wound
protection.
Q8. A nurse is caring for a client who has a spinal cord injury. Which type of
catheter should the nurse anticipate will be prescribed to facilitate urinary
elimination?
• A) Straight catheter
• B) Indwelling urinary catheter
• C) Condom catheter
• D) Suprapubic catheter
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Clients with spinal cord injuries often have neurogenic bladder and
require long-term bladder drainage, making an indwelling (Foley) catheter
appropriate. Intermittent catheterization may also be used, but indwelling is
common for continuous drainage.
Q9. A nurse is caring for a client who has bladder outlet obstruction. Which of
the following actions should the nurse anticipate?
• A) Insertion of an indwelling urinary catheter
• B) Administration of diuretics
• C) Fluid restriction
• D) Bladder training exercises
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bladder outlet obstruction prevents normal voiding and requires
catheterization to relieve urinary retention and prevent bladder distention.
