The nurse is precepting a student nurse on an orthopedic floor. The student nurse needs to insert an indwelling catheter into a male client. Which of the following statements by the student nurse are correct regarding insertion of the catheter? Select all that apply.

  • “I need to establish an aseptic field.”
  • “I will place the client in the supine position.”
  • “I will lubricate the tip of the catheter with sterile lubricant included in the tray.”
  • “I will inflate the catheter balloon with 5 cc of sterile water.”
Numbers 2 and 3 are correct.
Clients need to be in the supine position to allow access to the perineal area. Sterile lubricant, part of the standard catheter kit, is applied to the tip of the catheter to ease entrance through the meatus. A sterile field is maintained when inserting an indwelling catheter. The amount of sterile water used to inflate the catheter balloon depends on the size of the balloon. Typically a 5 cc balloon will be inflated with 7 – 10 cc of sterile water (part of the catheter kit) to maintain the position of the catheter within the bladder.