A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a patient.
What actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice A rationale:

Circulatory overload, also known as hypervolemia or fluid overload, is a condition where the body has too much fluid. This excess fluid, especially in the circulatory system, can lead to a rapid heartbeat. This is because the heart needs to work harder to pump the increased volume of blood, leading to an increased heart rate.

Choice B rationale:

Weight loss is not typically associated with circulatory overload. In fact, quick weight gain might be observed due to the excess fluid in the body.

Choice C rationale:

Low blood pressure is not a common symptom of circulatory overload. On the contrary, high blood pressure can occur because the excess fluid in the circulatory system puts more pressure on the blood vessel walls.

Choice D rationale:

Excessive sweating is not a direct symptom of circulatory overload. However, symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in certain areas of the body are more common.

Choice A rationale:

Donning sterile gloves before inserting the indwelling urinary catheter is a standard practice in healthcare to prevent infection. The urinary tract is normally sterile, and the use of sterile gloves helps maintain this sterility during the catheter insertion process. Choice B rationale:

Oil-based lubricants should not be used with indwelling urinary catheters. These lubricants can damage the catheter material and increase the risk of infection. Instead, water-soluble lubricants are recommended as they do not damage the catheter and can reduce patient discomfort during the insertion process.

Choice C rationale:

Testing the balloon on the indwelling urinary catheter before insertion is a critical step. This is done to ensure that the balloon inflates and deflates properly. If the balloon does not function correctly, it could cause discomfort or injury to the patient during insertion and could fail to keep the catheter in place once inserted.

Choice D rationale:

Cleaning the patient’s urinary meatus with one cotton swab is a part of the standard procedure before inserting an indwelling urinary catheter. This step is taken to remove any bacteria present at the site of insertion, thereby reducing the risk of introducing bacteria into the bladder during the catheter insertion.