Nurse Aide Practice Exam 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The first action the nurse aide should take when a resident with an indwelling catheter expresses the need to urinate is to check if the tubing is kinked and draining properly. Ensuring that the catheter is functioning correctly is critical because a kink or obstruction can prevent urine from flowing freely. If the tubing is kinked, relieving the kink may allow the urine to drain, addressing the resident’s immediate need.

Taking this step helps to rule out any mechanical issues before proceeding with further interventions. If the tubing is working properly, it could indicate other issues that may need addressing, such as potential infection or discomfort related to the catheter itself. However, verifying the proper function of the catheter is the most logical first step in this scenario, as it directly relates to the resident's expressed need.

Changing the catheter or notifying the nurse might be appropriate actions depending on the situation, but those steps can follow the initial check for kinks to ensure basic functionality is confirmed first. Asking about pain is also necessary, but without addressing the functional issue of the catheter first, the resident’s immediate complaint regarding urination cannot be effectively resolved.