If you’re training CNAs or PCTs, you already know that urinary catheter care is a high-risk, high-responsibility skill.
But did you know that a simple lack of training can lead to real patient harm?
A local hospital recently had a female patient suffer injuries from the suction of an external urinary catheter while she was on the bedpan because staff—including the nurses—didn’t know that external catheters with suction should never be used with a bedpan.
Even more alarming?
These external catheters don’t require a doctor’s order, so they’re being used without staff fully understanding the risks.
That’s why I created the Urinary Catheter Care Training Program—to make sure our students are better prepared before they step into a patient’s room.
Ready to use it in your class?
Here’s a simple lesson plan to get you started!
Step 1: Start with a Discussion on Urinary Catheters
Before jumping into the slides, ask your students:
❓ Why do patients need urinary catheters?
❓ What are the risks of catheter use?
❓ Has anyone ever heard of or seen complications from improper catheter care?
This gets students thinking about the importance of what they’re about to learn!
Step 2: Teach with the 42-Slide Google Slides Presentation
Use the Urinary Catheter Care Training Program presentation to cover:
✅ Indications & contraindications for each type of catheter
✅ Proper insertion & removal techniques
✅ Safety measures to prevent CAUTIs (Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections)
✅ Step-by-step procedures for:
- Indwelling catheters
- External catheters with suction
- Condom catheters
💡 Pro Tip: Use real-world stories (like the bedpan incident!) to make the material stick.
Step 3: Keep Students Engaged with the Guided Notes Worksheet
Pass out the “Slide Guide” Guided Notes Worksheet so students can fill in key points as they follow along with the presentation. This helps with:
Active engagement – No more zoning out!
Better retention – Writing things down makes a difference.
Easy review – Their notes will be a great study tool before clinicals!
And don’t worry—there’s a Teacher Key included so you can quickly check their work.
Step 4: Hands-On Practice
Let them see and touch the different catheter types.
Not sure where to find supplies?
Amazon
**Some of the links I share are Amazon affiliate links. This simply means that if you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend items I truly use and believe support CNA and Health Science teaching and learning.
Pocket Nurse
Pocket Nurse carries simulated wall suction units, so you can demonstrate external catheters with suction in an acute setting.
Amico Sapphire Non-Functional SlimRail Teaching Headwall with Accessories, 30″
If your facility has these supplies, set up stations where students can practice setting up drainage bags, positioning tubing correctly, and performing catheter care.
Step 5: Test Their Knowledge with the 30-Question Quiz "Urinary Catheter Care"
Now that they’ve learned and practiced, it’s time to check their understanding!
The multiple-choice quiz included in the training program will help you assess:
Do they know the risks of improper catheter care?
Can they correctly identify catheter types?
Do they understand contraindications (like why a bedpan + suction = disaster)?
With the included Teacher Key, grading is quick and painless.
Step 6: Reinforce with Real-World Urinary Catheter Scenarios
Wrap up your lesson with some critical thinking scenarios:
“You notice a patient’s catheter tubing is positioned over their thigh instead of under it. What do you do?”
“A fellow CNA asks if they should take a urine sample from a drainage bag. What do you tell them?”
“You walk in and see a patient using a bedpan while an external catheter with suction is attached. What’s your immediate action?”
These types of questions get students thinking beyond just textbook answers—they’re learning how to apply this knowledge in real-life patient care.
Why This Resource is a Must-Have for CNA & PCT Training
This Urinary Catheter Care Training Program takes all the guesswork out of teaching catheter care. With:
A detailed Google Slides presentation
A guided notes worksheet for easy retention
A multiple-choice quiz to test knowledge
Plus, real-world scenarios to prepare students for clinicals
…it’s a complete, ready-to-go training session!
Click the picture Below to View the Resource
Final Thoughts
Let’s make sure our students don’t end up in a situation like that hospital staff who didn’t know any better.
Knowledge is power, and with the right training, we can give our students the tools they need to provide safe and effective catheter care.
Want to use this in your class? Grab the resource today and make catheter care training easier than ever!
Let me know how it works for you—I’d love to hear your feedback! Have any catheter care horror stories of your own? Drop them in the comments!
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