A nurse is assessing a client who is receiving continuous bladder irrigation following a transurethral resection of the prostate 4 hr ago.
The nurse notes pink-tinged urine in the drainage bag.
Which of the following actions should the nurse take?

The correct answer is choiceA. Lift the penis so that it is perpendicular to the client’s body.

Choice A rationale:

Lifting the penis so that it is perpendicular to the client’s body straightens the urethra, making it easier to insert the catheter without causing trauma.

Choice B rationale:

While cleansing the tip of the penis in a circular motion is important for maintaining aseptic technique, it is not the specific action that facilitates the insertion of the catheter.

Choice C rationale:

Picking up the catheter 13 cm (5 in) from its tip is not a standard practice.The nurse should hold the catheter closer to the tip to maintain control and ensure accurate insertion.

Choice D rationale:

Inflating the catheter balloon before insertion can cause trauma to the urethra and is not recommended.The balloon should only be inflated once the catheter is correctly positioned in the bladder.

Choice A rationale:

Keeping an abduction pillow between the client's legs is a preventive measure to avoid dislocation of the hip prosthesis. This positioning helps maintain the correct alignment of the hip joint, reducing the risk of dislocation. Abduction pillows are commonly used postoperatively after total hip arthroplasty to support proper hip positioning while the patient is in bed.

Choice B rationale:

Elevating the client's affected leg on a pillow when in bed is not recommended after total hip arthroplasty. This position could lead to hip adduction, increasing the risk of prosthesis dislocation. Maintaining abduction (spreading the legs apart) is the key to preventing dislocation, and elevation should be avoided to maintain proper alignment.

Choice C rationale:

Positioning the client's knees slightly higher than the hips when up in a chair is not an appropriate preventive measure for prosthesis dislocation. Proper alignment is crucial, and the client should avoid sitting in low chairs or on low surfaces that could cause the hips to be lower than the knees, potentially leading to dislocation.

Choice D rationale:

Raising the head of the client's bed to a high-Fowler's position is unrelated to preventing prosthesis dislocation. Fowler's position refers to elevating the head of the bed to assist with breathing and facilitate patient comfort. While this position might be suitable for certain respiratory conditions, it has no direct impact on the stability of a hip prosthesis.