A nurse is caring for a client who has an indwelling urinary catheter and reports urinary leakage. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to verify the safe functioning of the urinary catheter?

Rationale: A. Check for seals in the drainage system: Urinary leakage in a client with an indwelling catheter may indicate a break in the closed drainage system. Inspecting for disconnected or loose seals is essential to verify the system’s integrity and ensure proper catheter function, reducing the risk of backflow or infection. B. Place a waterproof pad under the client's buttocks: This action addresses the symptom of leakage rather than identifying or correcting the cause. While it may help manage moisture, it does not ensure the catheter is functioning properly or prevent further complications. C. Clip the drainage tubing to the edge of the mattress: Clipping the tubing can obstruct flow and increase the risk of urine retention or reflux. Tubing should be secured loosely and not kinked, with no tension that might disrupt drainage or lead to malfunction. D. Position the drainage bag below the level of the client's bladder: While proper bag positioning is important to promote gravity drainage, it does not specifically verify safe functioning if leakage is occurring. Ensuring the drainage system is intact is the first step in evaluating catheter function.