Describe how to perform clean catheter care.

Performing clean catheter care is an essential skill for ensuring the comfort and health of individuals with catheters. The correct choice emphasizes the importance of hygiene by instructing to wear gloves and clean around the catheter with soap and water.

This method is effective because soap and water help to remove any potential contaminants and bacteria from the skin surrounding the catheter, reducing the risk of infection. Wearing gloves is critical as it provides a barrier between the caregiver's hands and the patient's body, protecting both the patient from any pathogens that may be present on the caregiver’s hands and the caregiver from exposure to bodily fluids.

While it is important to maintain regular cleaning, suggesting to clean the catheter only once a week does not meet the necessary hygiene standards required for catheter care. Daily or even more frequent cleaning may be required depending on the individual's specific situation.

Using alcohol wipes might seem like a practical solution for cleaning, but they can be too harsh on the skin and may not effectively remove all types of contaminants compared to using soap and water.

Ignoring hygiene practices around the catheter is highly unsafe and can lead to serious complications like urinary tract infections. Regular and proper cleaning is crucial to maintaining skin integrity and overall health for individuals with catheters.