SKILLS CHECKLIST

Name_________________________________ Performance Expectations Met______ Date_ ___________ Signed___________________

SKILL 6.15: Performing Urinary Catheterization

Procedure Performed Comments

Yes No
1. Gathered equipment. Introduced self, verified client’s identity, explained procedure,
why it is necessary, and how the client can help. Provided privacy. Performed hand
hygiene and donned clean gloves. Provided comfort and safety for client and self.
Adjusted bed to working height.
2. Assisted client as needed to perform routine perineal care to cleanse the meatus
from gross contamination. Removed gloves and performed hand hygiene.
3. Placed client in appropriate position and draped all areas except perineum.
Female: supine with knees flexed, feet about 2 feet apart, and hips slightly
externally rotated.
Male: supine, thighs slightly abducted or apart.
4. Established adequate lighting. Stood on client’s right if nurse was right-handed
and on left if nurse was left-handed.
5. If using a collecting bag and it was not contained in catheterization kit, opened
drainage package and placed end of tubing within reach.
6. If agency policy permitted, applied clean gloves and injected 10-15 mL Xylocaine
gel or water-soluble lubricant into the urethra of the male client. Wiped the underside
of penile shaft to distribute the gel up the urethra. Waited at least 5 minutes for the
gel to take effect before inserting the catheter. Removed and discarded gloves.
Performed hand hygiene.
7. Opened the catheterization kit. Placed a waterproof drape under the buttocks
(female) or penis (male) without contaminating the center of the drape.
8. Applied sterile gloves.
9.
Organized the remaining supplies on sterile field:
a. Saturated cleansing balls with antiseptic solution.
b. Opened lubricant package.
c. Removed specimen container and placed it nearby with lid loosely on top.
d. Attached the prefilled syringe to the indwelling catheter inflation hub and
tested the balloon.
e. Lubricated the catheter 2.5 to 5 cm (1 to 2 in.) for females, 15 to 17.5 cm (6 to 7 in.)
for males and placed it with the drainage end inside the collection container.
10. Cleansed the meatus.
a. For women: Spread the labia with nondominant hand to visualize meatus. Did
not allow the labia to close over cleaned meatus. Cleansed in anteroposterior
direction using one cleansing ball for each wipe downward. Cleansed from
lateral to center with last wipe over the meatus.
b. For men: Grasped penis just below glans with nondominant hand. Retracted
foreskin if necessary. Cleansed in circular motion from meatus around glans to
the base. Used a new ball each time for three more wipes.
11. Inserted the catheter.
a. Grasped catheter firmly 5 to 7.5 cm (2 to 3 in.) from tip. Asked client to take a
slow deep breath and inserted catheter as client exhaled.
b. If catheter became contaminated by touching labia on the female, foreskin on
the male, or any other body part before entering the meatus, performed
catheterization with a new sterile catheter.
c. Advanced catheter 5 cm (2 in.) farther after urine begins to flow through it.
12. Held catheter with nondominant hand.
13. For an indwelling catheter, inflated retention balloon with designated volume.
a. Without releasing catheter, held inflation valve between two fingers of
nondominant hand while attaching syringe and inflating with dominant hand.
b. Pulled gently on catheter until resistance was felt.

continued...
Clinical Nursing Skills: A Concept-Based Approach to Learning, Volume III, 2e   Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
 SKILLS CHECKLIST

Name_________________________________ Performance Expectations Met______ Date_ ___________ Signed___________________

SKILL 6.15: Performing Urinary Catheterization (continued )

Procedure Performed Comments

Yes No
14. Collected a urine specimen if needed.
15. Allowed straight catheter to continue draining into urine receptacle.
16. Examined and measured urine. Check agency policy for further instructions if more
than 750 mL - 1,000 mL of urine drained from the bladder at one time.
17. Removed straight catheter when urine flow stopped. For an indwelling catheter:
a. Secured indwelling catheter leaving enough slack for usual movement to
client’s thigh.
b. Secured collecting tubing to bed linens and hung bag below bladder level.
18. Wiped the perineal area of any remaining antiseptic or lubricant. Replaced foreskin
if retracted earlier. Returned client to comfortable position. Instructed client on
positioning and moving with catheter in place.
19. Discarded all used supplies in appropriate receptacles.
20. Removed and discarded gloves. Performed hand hygiene.
21. Documented catheterization procedure, including catheter size and results in
client’s record.

Clinical Nursing Skills: A Concept-Based Approach to Learning, Volume III, 2e   Copyright © 2015 by Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.