A nurse is preparing to insert an indwelling urinary catheter for a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

Choice B rationale Testing the balloon on an indwelling urinary catheter before insertion is a crucial safety step in the preparation process. This action ensures that the balloon, which is inflated with sterile water after insertion to anchor the catheter in the bladder, does not have a leak and will properly inflate. A non-functional balloon requires catheter replacement before the sterile procedure continues. Choice A rationale A water-soluble, sterile lubricant is necessary for catheter insertion to minimize friction and tissue trauma to the urethra. Oil-based lubricants are contraindicated because they can damage the latex or silicone material of the catheter and may be difficult to remove, potentially increasing the risk of infection. Choice C rationale Sterile gloves are donned after the nurse has established the sterile field, draped the client, and organized the supplies, and immediately before touching the sterile catheter and the client's meatus for insertion. Donning gloves too early increases the risk of contamination from touching non-sterile surfaces while setting up the field. Choice D rationale The urinary meatus should be cleansed using a minimum of three separate antiseptic-soaked cotton swabs or balls. Cleansing starts with the most distant area (far side), then the closest area (near side), and finally directly over the meatus, using a single downward stroke for each area. Using only one swab significantly increases the risk of infection.