What is a vital part of monitoring a resident's catheter?

Monitoring a resident's catheter involves several critical aspects, and one of the most vital components is checking for signs of infection. Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a common risk for residents using catheters, so healthcare providers must be vigilant in recognizing symptoms such as redness, swelling, or discharge at the insertion site, fever, or changes in the urine's color or odor. Early detection of these signs can lead to timely intervention, reducing complications and promoting the resident's well-being.

Maintaining a catheter also includes ensuring that it is clean externally, listening to any complaints from the patient, and changing it according to established protocols, but these actions are supportive of overall care and surveillance rather than directly focused on the immediate threat posed by potential infections.