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NCLEX-RN (Registered Nurse) Practice Exam · Question

A nurse is inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. During the procedure, the nurse accidentally touches the non-dominant hand to the sterile catheter after cleaning the meatus. What action should the nurse take next?

Touching the sterile catheter with a non-sterile hand contaminates the catheter, requiring its replacement with a new sterile one to maintain surgical asepsis a

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Question: A nurse is inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. During the procedure, the nurse accidentally touches the non-dominant hand to the sterile catheter after cleaning the meatus. What action should the nurse take next?

Answer options:

  • Continue with the insertion, noting the breach in the client's medical record. ✅ Replace the contaminated catheter with a new sterile one and restart the procedure.
  • Re-clean the meatus thoroughly with the antiseptic solution.
  • Wash the non-dominant hand with hand sanitizer and proceed.

Correct answer: Replace the contaminated catheter with a new sterile one and restart the procedure.

Explanation: Touching the sterile catheter with a non-sterile hand contaminates the catheter, requiring its replacement with a new sterile one to maintain surgical asepsis and prevent catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI).

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