Catheter care involves cleansing the front perineal area and the catheter itself with soap and water to prevent infection. This is performed on a female resident (a mannequin) with an indwelling (Foley) catheter. For testing purposes, only the front perineal area and catheter are evaluated; the rectal area and buttocks are not tested in this skill.
Equipment and Supplies Needed
- Several washcloths (the test site stocks the supplies; what matters is using a fresh washcloth or a fresh area for every stroke)
- 2 towels (one large to keep the resident covered, one to dry)
- 2 basins
- 2 disposable underpads (chux)
- 1 pair of gloves
- Soap
Step-by-Step Procedure
Below are the criteria checklist checkpoints for Female Catheter Care on the Florida CNA clinical skills exam, the same checkpoints the evaluators score. Checkpoints marked (IC) are the universal indirect care checkpoints, which are scored on every skill.
- Greet resident, address by name, and introduce self? (IC)
- Provide explanations to resident about care before beginning and during care? (IC)
- Wear gloves while providing catheter care, cleaning equipment, and handling soiled underpads, washcloths, and towels?
- Position towel or underpad under buttocks/thigh area before cleansing, and when care completed remove towel or underpad, or leave resident on a dry underpad?
- Use water of safe temperature for washing and rinsing?
- Use soapy washcloth to clean inside labia?
- Change spot on soapy washcloth for each washing stroke, wiping from front to back when cleansing inside labia?
- Cleanse catheter using clean area of washcloth, washing away from body and down the catheter at least 3-4 inches?
- Use clean soap-free wet washcloth to remove soap?
- Change spot on washcloth for each rinsing stroke, wiping front to back inside labia, and away from body when rinsing catheter?
- Dry perineal area, from front to back after completing cleansing and rinsing?
- Leave tubing free of kinks or obstructions, and keep tubing and urinary drainage bag off floor?
- Keep urinary drainage bag positioned lower than bladder throughout procedure?
- Complete skill having rinsed, dried and stored basin, placing soiled linens in hamper, disposing of trash, and leaving overbed table dry?
- Keep resident positioned a safe distance from the edge of the bed at all times?
- Ask resident about preferences during care? (IC)
- Use Standard Precautions and infection control measures when providing care? (IC)
- Ask resident about comfort or needs during care or before care completed? (IC)
- Promote resident's rights during care? (IC)
- Promote resident's safety during care? (IC)
- Hold the catheter near the meatus whenever you handle it: never pull or put pressure on the catheter.
- ALWAYS clean front to back to prevent introducing bacteria from the rectal area into the urinary tract.
- Use a fresh area of the washcloth (or a new one) for each stroke: never reuse a soiled area.
- The drainage bag must be below bladder level but not touching the floor.
Common Mistakes on the Prometric Test
Based on our experience preparing thousands of students for Florida's CNA state exam, here are the most common mistakes candidates make on this skill:
- Wrong cleaning direction: Cleaning back to front introduces rectal bacteria to the urinary tract, risking infection. Always clean front to back.
- Reusing washcloth area: Each cleaning stroke must use a clean portion. Reusing a soiled area spreads bacteria instead of removing it.
- Drainage bag position: The bag must be below the bladder (to allow gravity drainage) but not on the floor (contamination risk).
- Pulling on the catheter: Hold the catheter near the meatus when handling it, and wash away from the body, down the catheter at least 3-4 inches.
Test Day Tips for Female Catheter Care
- Practice the front-to-back motion until it's automatic.
- Fold the washcloth into quarters so you have 8 clean surfaces available.
- Check the drainage bag position at the end: evaluators specifically look for this.
- Raise the bed to about the height of your pelvis while you work; it protects your back and is the body mechanics evaluators expect. Lower it again when you finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the cleaning direction important for catheter care?
Cleaning from front to back (urethra toward rectum) prevents bacteria from the rectal area from being introduced into the urinary tract. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are one of the most common healthcare-acquired infections.
Master This Skill with Video Demonstrations
Reading the steps is a great start, but watching the skill performed correctly makes a huge difference on test day. Our online CNA course includes:
- HD video demonstration of Female Catheter Care performed exactly as Prometric expects
- Detailed narration explaining each checkpoint the evaluator looks for
- Practice scenarios and tips from experienced CNA instructors
- All 22 clinical skills plus written exam preparation
Start with a free course preview. See the quality of our video instruction before you commit.
All 22 CNA Clinical Skills
See the full CNA clinical skills guide, or jump to any skill: Handwashing · Mouth Care (Brushing Teeth) · Hand and Nail Care · Denture Care · Feeding a Resident · Taking a Pulse · Measuring Respirations · Changing an Occupied Bed · Dressing with One-Sided Weakness · Bedpan Assistance · Emptying Urinary Drainage Bag · Female Perineal Care · Range of Motion (Lower Body) · Range of Motion (Elbow and Wrist) · Range of Motion (Shoulder) · Partial Bed Bath · Change of Position · Wheelchair Transfer · Foot Care · Ambulation with Gait Belt · Indirect Care.
Written by Jaime Arias, owner of Florida CNA Online since 2020.
Medically reviewed by Magalys Herrera Pérez, Licenciada en Enfermería (Licentiate in Nursing), August 2026.