Where should a urinary drainage bag be positioned?

Below the level of the bladder, and not touching the floor

Above the bladder for easier viewing

What is the most effective way to reduce catheter-associated urinary infection?

Remove the catheter as soon as it is no longer needed

Leave it in as long as possible for convenience

Irrigate it routinely with antiseptic

When emptying a catheter bag, what practice reduces infection risk?

Hand hygiene, a clean container, and not breaking the closed system unnecessarily

Disconnecting the catheter from the bag each time

Using the same jug for every patient without cleaning

A catheter was inserted for a patient who no longer has any clinical need for it. What should happen?

Review and remove it, as it is no longer indicated

Leave it in until discharge regardless

Keep it in case it is needed later

Only remove it if the patient complains

Which technique is used when inserting a urinary catheter?

Clean but non-sterile technique

The same gloves used for other tasks

Part B4 of 8 Providing and Evaluating Care Chapter 50 of 75

Urinary Catheter Care Questions

NMC CBT catheter practice: preventing infection, the closed system, bag position, removing early, and worked scenario answers.

Start reading ← Back to all parts ~5 min read

By JobLabs Editorial · UK healthcare reference editorial team

· July 16, 2026 · Updated Jul 17, 2026 · 2 min read

Urinary catheters are common and useful, and also one of the leading causes of healthcare-associated infection. The CBT tests whether you can prevent catheter-associated urinary infection, from the decision to insert through to prompt removal.

Only when indicated

The first principle is that catheters are used only when there is a clear clinical reason, such as acute retention, accurate output monitoring in critical illness, or certain surgery. They are not for convenience, because every catheter carries an infection risk. And the indication is reviewed regularly, not assumed to hold indefinitely.

Insert aseptically, keep it closed

Catheters are inserted using an aseptic technique, to avoid introducing bacteria into the bladder. Once in, the drainage system is kept closed. Breaking the connection unnecessarily, for example disconnecting the bag routinely, opens a route for infection. When the bag is emptied, it is done with hand hygiene and a clean container for each patient, without breaking the closed system.

Bag position

A favourite exam point is where the bag sits. It is kept below the level of the bladder, so urine drains down and away and cannot flow back towards the bladder, and it should not touch the floor. A bag placed level with or above the bladder allows backflow, which risks pushing contaminated urine back up.

Remove early

The most effective single measure, and the one questions return to, is prompt removal. The longer a catheter stays in, the higher the infection risk, so its need is reviewed daily and it comes out as soon as it is no longer required. Leaving a catheter in for convenience, just in case, or until the patient complains all extend the risk for no benefit. Routine daily changes or antiseptic irrigation are not the answer either. Next: bowel care and elimination. Five catheter scenarios first.

Sources & further reading

Key takeaway from Urinary Catheter Care Questions

Frequently asked questions

Why should catheters be removed as soon as possible?

The longer a catheter stays in, the higher the risk of a catheter-associated urinary infection. Reviewing daily whether it is still needed, and removing it as soon as it is not, is one of the most effective ways to prevent infection.

Why is the drainage bag kept below the level of the bladder?

Keeping the bag below bladder level lets urine drain down and away and prevents it flowing back up towards the bladder, which could introduce infection. The bag should also not touch the floor, and the closed system should not be broken unnecessarily.

When is urinary catheterisation appropriate?

Only when there is a clear clinical indication, such as acute retention, accurate output monitoring in critical illness, or certain surgery. Catheters are not used for convenience, because every catheter carries an infection risk, so the indication is reviewed regularly.

Check your understanding

Quick quiz: Urinary Catheter Care Questions

5questions. Click an answer to see the explanation. Your score is saved on this device only.

1
Where should a urinary drainage bag be positioned?
The bag is kept below bladder level so urine drains away and cannot flow back towards the bladder, which would risk infection. It should not touch the floor. Placing it level with or above the bladder allows backflow and raises infection risk.
2
What is the most effective way to reduce catheter-associated urinary infection?
Infection risk rises the longer a catheter stays in, so reviewing the need daily and removing it promptly is the single most effective prevention. Daily changes, leaving it in for convenience, or routine antiseptic irrigation are not evidence-based and can cause harm.
3
When emptying a catheter bag, what practice reduces infection risk?
Emptying the bag with hand hygiene, a clean container for each patient, and without breaking the closed connection keeps the system protected. Disconnecting the catheter routinely, or sharing an uncleaned container, breaches the closed system and spreads infection.
4
A catheter was inserted for a patient who no longer has any clinical need for it. What should happen?
A catheter with no ongoing indication should be removed, because keeping it in adds infection risk for no benefit. Leaving it in for convenience, just in case, or until the patient complains all extend the risk unnecessarily.
5
Which technique is used when inserting a urinary catheter?
Catheter insertion uses an aseptic technique to avoid introducing bacteria into the bladder. A casual or non-sterile approach, or reusing gloves from other tasks, would increase the risk of a catheter-associated urinary infection.