Which practice helps maintain the patency of an indwelling catheter?

Maintaining the patency of an indwelling catheter is crucial for proper urine drainage and to prevent complications such as urinary tract infections. Keeping the catheter bag below the level of the bladder is the best practice because it uses gravity to facilitate the continuous flow of urine. This helps prevent backflow, which could lead to urine stagnation and an increased risk of infection, as well as possibly causing pressure in the bladder that could lead to reflux.

When the catheter bag is positioned above the level of the bladder, there is a higher chance that urine will not drain effectively, potentially resulting in kinks or blockages in the tubing, which can compromise its patency. Maintaining the catheter bag in a proper position ensures that urine drains directly from the bladder into the collection bag without obstruction. Regular catheter changes are also necessary, but doing so every day is not required and could cause irritation or trauma to the urethra if done too frequently.