What safety measure is essential when performing urethral catheterization to minimize risk of infection?

• A. Use aseptic/sterile technique and maintain a closed drainage system.
• B. Use broad-spectrum systemic antibiotics for all insertions.
• C. Reuse the catheter after cleaning with soap and water.
• D. Irrigate the bladder with antiseptic solution after insertion

Answer: (A)

The key idea is preventing infection during catheterization by using sterile technique and maintaining a closed drainage system. When you perform catheterization with aseptic, sterile technique, you minimize introducing bacteria into the urinary tract at the moment of insertion. Keeping the system closed — meaning the catheter and collection bag remain sealed from the environment and the bag stays below the bladder level — greatly reduces the opportunity for bacteria to ascend into the urinary tract over time. Together, these practices are the most effective way to lower catheter-associated urinary tract infection risk.

Other approaches don’t provide the same protection. Using antibiotics for every insertion doesn’t prevent infection and can drive antibiotic resistance. Reusing a catheter after cleaning creates a contamination risk and is unsafe. Irrigating the bladder with antiseptic solution after insertion can irritate tissues and has not shown consistent infection prevention benefits.