STUDENT’S NAME FOR FACULTY USE ONLY DATE
DATE EDUCATOR’S NAME PASS / FAIL
Skills Modules 3.0 Checklist: Urinary Elimination
Inserting an Indwelling Catheter
INSTRUCTIONS: Use the following checklist to evaluate competency in completing this skill. Select
Satisfactory (S) or Unsatisfactory (U) for each step and provide comments as needed.
*Document the relevant information (assessment findings, pharmacological and nonpharmacological
interventions) in the client’s medical record.
Beginning Steps
STEP S U EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS
Confirm prescription for indwelling catheter.
Gather all supplies needed for procedure.
*Introduce yourself to the client.
*Preform hand hygiene.
*Verify client identification.
*Provide privacy as needed.
*Explain procedure to the client.
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Skills Modules 3.0 Checklist: Urinary Elimination
Inserting an Indwelling Catheter
STEP S U EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS
*Determine whether the client has allergies.
Place equipment on a stable surface within reach (such as
a bedside table).
Adjust the environment for convenience, ergonomics, and
lighting.
Assist the client to a position that accounts for their
physical limitations and performing the catheterization.
Apply clean gloves and perform perineal care.
Perform hand hygiene.
Use sterile technique to prepare equipment and apply
sterile gloves.
Cleanse the meatus using sterile technique.
Apply lubricant to the female external urinary meatus, or
inject lubricant into the male urinary meatus per facility
protocol. (Facilities may use water-based lubricant or
lidocaine gel.)
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Skills Modules 3.0 Checklist: Urinary Elimination
Inserting an Indwelling Catheter
Female Clients
STEP S U EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS
Use nondominant hand to separate the labia and expose
the meatus.
Cleanse the labia and urinary meatus with sterile
antiseptic. Use only one cotton swab or cotton ball for
each area cleansed.
Insert catheter.
With your dominant hand, slowly insert the catheter into
the urethra. Advance the catheter until urine appears in
the drainage tube.
Advance catheter approximately 2 inches after urine
appears in the tubing.
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Skills Modules 3.0 Checklist: Urinary Elimination
Inserting an Indwelling Catheter
Male Clients
STEP S U EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS
Retract foreskin (if uncircumcised) with nondominant hand.
Then hold the penis just below the glans.
Clean the meatus with sterile antiseptic, using a circular
motion. Repeat at least three times, using one cotton
swab or cotton ball each time.
Using the dominant hand, firmly hold the lubricated
catheter, approximately 3 to 4 inches from the tip.
Insert catheter.
Hold the penis with the nondominant hand, upward using
slight tension.
Gently insert the catheter into the meatus. Once urine is
noted in the drainage tube, advance all the way to the
tubing bifurcation.
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Skills Modules 3.0 Checklist: Urinary Elimination
Inserting an Indwelling Catheter
Concluding Steps
STEP S U EVALUATOR’S COMMENTS
Hold catheter securely with nondominant hand, while
inflating catheter balloon.
Gently pull back on the catheter until resistance is felt.
If client is uncircumcised, then replace the foreskin.
Secure catheter with securement device.
Secure collection device below the level of the bladder.
Perform perineal care.
Dispose of equipment per agency policy.
Perform hand hygiene.
*Ensure that the client is in a safe position prior to leaving
the room and has the call light within reach.
References
Lynn, P. (2019). Skill checklist for Taylor’s clinical nursing skills (5th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.
Lynn, P. (2019). Taylor’s clinical nursing skills (5th ed.) Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer, 666-721
Perry, A.G., Potter, P.A., and Ostendorf, W.R. (2018). Clinical nursing skills & techniques (9th ed.) St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier.
Potter, P. A., Perry, A. G., Stockert, P., & Hall, A. (2017). Fundamentals of nursing (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO:
Elsevier.
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