A nurse is teaching a quality improvement course about decreasing the number of urinary tract infections for clients who have indwelling urinary catheters. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

A. "Empty the drainage bag every 12 hours.": Urine should be emptied regularly, but not on a fixed 12-hour schedule. The focus is on preventing backflow and maintaining sterility, so the bag should be emptied when it is two-thirds full or as needed, rather than strictly every 12 hours. B. "Irrigate the indwelling urinary catheter once per shift.": Routine irrigation is not recommended for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and can introduce pathogens or cause trauma. Irrigation should only be performed if specifically indicated for obstruction or provider order. C. "Apply a topical antimicrobial ointment as part of routine catheter care.": Routine application of antimicrobial ointment is not recommended and does not prevent CAUTIs. Proper hygiene and sterile technique are more effective in infection prevention than topical agents. D. "Keep the drainage bag below the level of the bladder.": Maintaining the drainage bag below the bladder prevents backflow of urine, which is a major risk factor for introducing bacteria into the urinary tract. This simple intervention is a key measure in reducing catheter-associated urinary tract infections.