RN Exam Practice
Safety and Infection ControlQuestion 401 of 2368

A client has an indwelling urinary catheter attached to a large collection bag. When should the nurse empty the bag to prevent traction on the urethra?

  1. Only when the bag is completely full
  2. When the bag is half to two-thirds full
  3. Once at the end of every shift, regardless of volume
  4. When the bag is one-quarter full
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Correct answer: When the bag is half to two-thirds full

Bags are emptied when half to two-thirds full so the weight does not pull on the urethra.

Source: Nursing Skills, 2nd edition (Open RN, Chippewa Valley Technical College, 2023), Facilitation of Elimination: Urinary Elimination Devices. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Practice the topic "Safety and Infection Control"

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026