Which nursing action helps prevent catheter occlusion in a patient with a TURP and continuous bladder irrigation?

Which nursing action helps prevent catheter occlusion in a patient with a TURP and continuous bladder irrigation?

• A. Maintain patency by ensuring the irrigation is flowing and checking for kinks
• B. Remove the catheter and reinsert after every shift
• C. Increase irrigation rate until channels are clear
• D. Stop irrigation if the patient has pain

Answer: (A)

Maintaining catheter patency during continuous bladder irrigation is essential to prevent occlusion from clots and debris. The nurse keeps the irrigation flowing freely and checks for kinks or compression in the tubing, ensures the drainage bag is placed below the bladder to allow gravity drainage, and confirms the system is not clamped. When flow stays uninterrupted, clots are flushed out and the catheter remains patent, reducing the risk of urinary retention and related complications. Removing and reinserting the catheter, increasing the irrigation rate without an order, or stopping irrigation due to pain do not address the obstruction and can cause harm; if flow remains blocked after checking for kinks and proper placement, the healthcare provider should be notified for further guidance.

Maintaining catheter patency during continuous bladder irrigation is essential to prevent occlusion from clots and debris. The nurse keeps the irrigation flowing freely and checks for kinks or compression in the tubing, ensures the drainage bag is placed below the bladder to allow gravity drainage, and confirms the system is not clamped. When flow stays uninterrupted, clots are flushed out and the catheter remains patent, reducing the risk of urinary retention and related complications. Removing and reinserting the catheter, increasing the irrigation rate without an order, or stopping irrigation due to pain do not address the obstruction and can cause harm; if flow remains blocked after checking for kinks and proper placement, the healthcare provider should be notified for further guidance.