7.2 Perineal, Catheter, and Toileting Care

Perineal Care

Perineal care is intimate care. The CNA must protect privacy and dignity while using infection-control technique.

For female perineal care, clean front to back. Use a clean portion of the washcloth for each stroke. This helps prevent moving organisms from the rectal area toward the urinary tract.

Catheter Care

A urinary catheter creates infection risk. During catheter care:

• Explain the procedure.
• Provide privacy.
• Use gloves.
• Hold the catheter near the urethra to prevent pulling.
• Clean away from the urethra down the tubing.
• Use a clean part of the washcloth for each stroke.
• Keep the drainage bag below bladder level.
• Keep tubing free of kinks.
• Do not let the drainage spout touch the container.

Drainage Bag Emptying

When emptying a urinary drainage bag, place the graduate on a flat surface and read output at eye level. Record mL accurately.

After emptying, clean equipment according to policy, remove gloves properly, and perform hand hygiene.

Toileting Care

Offer toileting regularly for residents with scheduled programs. Provide privacy, ensure safety, and answer call lights promptly.

For bedpans, position correctly, raise head of bed for comfort when safe, leave tissue and call light, and return promptly.

What To Report

Report catheter leakage, pain, blood, very low output, cloudy urine with symptoms, fever, new confusion, or resident pulling at the catheter.

Exam Tip

For perineal and catheter questions, the safe answer usually includes privacy, gloves, front-to-back or away-from-urethra cleaning, and reporting abnormal findings.