Arizona Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Practice Test

When a resident with an indwelling catheter states they need to urinate, what should the nurse aide do?

1. Change the catheter immediately

2. Check to see if the tubing is kinked

3. Notify the physician

4. Provide a urinal

The correct answer is: Check to see if the tubing is kinked

When a resident with an indwelling catheter expresses the need to urinate, it is essential to first check the catheter system for any issues that could be preventing proper drainage. The correct course of action involves checking to see if the tubing is kinked because kinks can obstruct urine flow, leading the resident to perceive a need to urinate even though the catheter is in place. This step is vital to ensure the comfort and safety of the resident. If there is a kink, gently straightening the tubing can provide immediate relief. It's also part of the nursing assistant's responsibility to ensure that the catheter is functioning properly and that there are no blockages in the system. Additionally, if no kinks are found and the issue persists, further actions may need to be taken, but addressing a kink in the tubing is the immediate priority. The other choices may not address the immediate concern effectively. Changing the catheter may not be necessary if the issue can be resolved through simple checks, notifying the physician could delay necessary action, and providing a urinal is not appropriate since the resident has an indwelling catheter that should manage urine collection. Thus, checking for kinks is the most logical and immediate response to the resident's complaint.