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?

Choice A rationale

Discarding the dressing in the bedside trash receptacle is not recommended because it can lead to the spread of infection. The dressing is contaminated with blood and purulent drainage, which are considered biohazardous waste.

Choice B rationale

Double-bagging the dressing in clear bags and labeling it “biohazard” is not sufficient. While it’s important to label biohazardous waste, the dressing should be disposed of in a designated biohazardous waste container.

Choice C rationale

Enclosing the dressing in a single clear plastic bag and discarding it in the bedside trash receptacle is also not recommended. This method does not provide adequate containment for biohazardous waste.

Choice D rationale

Disposing of the dressing in a biohazardous waste container is the correct method. This ensures that the biohazardous waste is properly contained and reduces the risk of spreading infection.

Choice A rationale

Discarding any residual gastric contents before administering the tube feeding is not necessary and could lead to unnecessary loss of nutrients and electrolytes.

Choice B rationale

Positioning the patient in a low Fowler’s position is not the optimal position for administering a tube feeding. The patient should be in an upright position to reduce the risk of aspiration.

Choice C rationale

Testing the pH of the gastric aspirate is an important step before administering a tube feeding. This helps to verify that the feeding tube is in the stomach and not in the lungs.

Choice D rationale

Warming the feeding solution to body temperature is not necessary and could potentially lead to bacterial growth in the feeding solution.