A nurse is inserting a catheter into a female patient. When the nurse inserts the catheter, no urine is obtained. The nurse suspects the catheter is not in the urethra. What should the nurse do?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If no urine appears, the catheter may be in the vagina. If misplaced, leave the catheter in the vagina as a landmark to indicate where not to insert, and insert another sterile catheter. The catheter should be left in place until the new, sterile catheter is inserted. The balloon should not be filled since the catheter is in the vagina. The catheter must be sterile; using alcohol will not make the catheter sterile.

A Nurse Is Inserting a Catheter into a Female Patient