Personal Hygiene & Elimination

For urinary elimination, an indwelling catheter is a leading cause of hospital-acquired infection, so the correct nursing answer is almost always to assess for the earliest possible removal, keep the collection bag below the level of the bladder, and maintain a closed, unobstructed drainage system. For bowel elimination, a stool softener (not a stimulant laxative) is typically first-line prevention for opioid-induced or post-operative constipation, alongside early ambulation and adequate fluid/fiber intake.