Catheters & ostomies — what an HCA does and doesn't do

You may empty and record drainage, keep the bag below bladder level, and keep tubing kink-free — but inserting, removing, or irrigating a catheter and changing an ostomy appliance on broken skin are nursing tasks requiring delegation.

1. 1Urinary catheter — you can: empty the bag (wash hands, gloves, don't let the spout touch anything), record amount/color, keep the bag below the bladder, secure tubing so it doesn't pull.
2. 2You cannot without delegation: insert, remove, irrigate, or disconnect the catheter from the tubing.
3. 3Report for catheters: no urine for several hours, leaking, blood in urine, cloudy/foul urine, fever, pain — these can mean blockage or infection.
4. 4Ostomy — per the care plan you may assist with emptying a pouch and skin observation; appliance changes vary by client and plan — confirm with your supervisor what's authorized.
5. 5Report for ostomies: skin redness or breakdown around the stoma, a stoma that changes color (dark/purple is urgent), no output when expected, leaking appliance.
6. 6Always: gloves, hand hygiene before and after, and dignity — screen and drape the client during care.