How should you perform perineal care for a male resident?

• A. Clean around the meatus, wipe front to back if applicable (avoid tugging on the catheter), and pat dry.
• B. Clean around the meatus, wipe back to front if applicable (avoid tugging on the catheter), and pat dry.
• C. Clean around the meatus, wipe front to back if applicable.
• D. Clean around the meatus, wipe back to front if applicable and pat dry.

Answer: (D)

When performing perineal care for a male resident with a catheter, the priority is to clean around the urethral meatus and move cleaning motions away from the rectal area toward the tip of the penis, while avoiding any tugging on the catheter. After cleaning, pat the area dry to prevent moisture buildup that can irritate the skin or harbor bacteria, and keep the catheter secured so it isn’t pulled.

This approach minimizes contamination risk, protects the catheter, and reduces irritation by drying the area. Choosing a direction that moves bacteria toward the urinary opening or toward the rectal area increases infection risk, and skipping the drying step or tugging on the catheter can cause discomfort or dislodgement.