During catheter care, where should you place an incontinent pad?

During catheter care, where should you place an incontinent pad?

• A. Under the buttocks.
• B. Under the resident's head.
• C. On the bedrail.
• D. Over the catheter site.

Answer: (A)

Placing an incontinent pad under the resident’s buttocks keeps the bed and skin protected by catching urine as you perform catheter care. This position absorbs drainage and helps prevent moisture from settling on the skin, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and odor while you clean and manage the catheter area. Putting a pad under the head wouldn’t protect the correct area or bed, placing one on the bedrail is unsafe and ineffective, and placing a pad over the catheter site could trap moisture, interfere with care, and increase infection risk.

Placing an incontinent pad under the resident’s buttocks keeps the bed and skin protected by catching urine as you perform catheter care. This position absorbs drainage and helps prevent moisture from settling on the skin, reducing the risk of skin breakdown and odor while you clean and manage the catheter area. Putting a pad under the head wouldn’t protect the correct area or bed, placing one on the bedrail is unsafe and ineffective, and placing a pad over the catheter site could trap moisture, interfere with care, and increase infection risk.