Which intervention prevents catheter-associated UTIs?

• A. Keep bag below bladder
• B. Change bag every hour
• C. Use prophylactic antibiotics
• D. Irrigate catheter with antiseptic

Answer: (A)

The main idea is preventing backflow of urine into the bladder by keeping the urine collection bag below the level of the bladder. When the bag is lower, gravity helps urine drain away from the catheter, reducing the chance that urine in the bag or tubing will reflux back into the bladder and feed bacteria that can cause a catheter-associated UTI. This is part of maintaining a closed drainage system and proper catheter care.

Other options aren’t effective prevention strategies: changing the bag every hour is unnecessary and can introduce infection; prophylactic antibiotics are not routinely recommended for CAUTI prevention due to limited benefit and resistance concerns; irrigating the catheter with an antiseptic can irritate tissues and has no proven benefit for preventing CAUTI.