Why should the catheter drainage bag be kept below the level of the bladder?

• A. To prevent backflow of urine into the bladder, reducing infection risk
• B. To increase urine drainage pressure
• C. To improve patient comfort only
• D. To facilitate catheter removal

Answer: (A)

Keeping the drainage bag below the bladder uses gravity to move urine away from the bladder and maintains a closed drainage system. This positioning prevents backflow of urine into the bladder, which reduces the risk of bacteria traveling up the catheter and causing a urinary tract infection. It’s not about increasing drainage pressure or improving comfort or facilitating removal; the key purpose is preventing reflux to protect the bladder from infection. Ensure the bag stays lower than the bladder and that tubing isn’t kinked or pulled.