Which is a primary reason for performing peri-care during catheter care?

• A. To prevent odor formation
• B. To reduce infection risk
• C. To increase patient comfort only
• D. To shorten hospital stay

Answer: (B)

Cleansing the peri area during catheter care is done to prevent infection. The catheter provides a pathway for bacteria to enter the urinary tract, and bacteria can quickly colonize the catheter surface and surrounding skin. Regular peri-care reduces the microbial load around the urethral opening, helping to disrupt colonization and lower the chance of a catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Odor and discomfort can improve with good hygiene, but those are side benefits rather than the main reason. Shortening a hospital stay isn’t a direct, guaranteed outcome of peri-care. The key purpose is infection prevention.