Identify the surgical device shown in the following image?

Appeared in: NORCET 8 Prelims-2025

Explanation

The image clearly shows a tube inserted into the urinary bladder through the abdominal wall, just above the pubic bone.
This specific anatomical placement is characteristic of a suprapubic catheter or tube.
The balloon at the tip inside the bladder is a retention feature, common in indwelling catheters like this one, to prevent it from slipping out.
This procedure is performed to bypass the urethra for urinary drainage.

Option A: A Gastrostomy tube (G-tube) is inserted through the abdomen into the stomach, not the bladder.
Option B: Suprarenal means above the kidney. A drainage device in this location would be for the adrenal gland or kidney, not the bladder, which is in the pelvis. This is not a standard medical term for a urinary device.
Option D: A Ryle's tube is a type of nasogastric (NG) tube, which is inserted through the nose, down the esophagus, and into the stomach.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of surgical devices based on anatomical placement as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses are responsible for the care of patients with suprapubic catheters, which includes cleaning the insertion site daily, monitoring for signs of infection (redness, swelling, pus), and ensuring the tube is patent and draining properly.
It is crucial to prevent tension on the catheter to avoid trauma to the bladder and insertion site.
What if? If the patient with a suprapubic catheter complains of lower abdominal pain and has no urine output, the nurse's first action should be to check the tubing for kinks or blockages. If none are found, the nurse should assess for bladder distention and notify the healthcare provider, as the catheter may be occluded internally.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully examine the image to identify the key anatomical structures. In this case, note the bladder, uterus, and pubic bone.
Trace the path of the surgical device. Observe where it enters the body and which organ it terminates in.
Note that the tube enters through the abdominal wall above the pubic bone and ends in the bladder.
Evaluate the given options based on your anatomical analysis. 'Supra-pubic' literally means 'above the pubic bone'.
Eliminate the other options by recalling their correct placements: Gastrostomy (stomach), Supraprenal (above the kidney - incorrect context), and Ryle's tube (nasogastric).

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of surgical devices based on anatomical placement.
Stem keywords: surgical device, image, identify
Lead-in keywords: Identify
Clinical cues: The image shows a catheter inserted through the abdominal wall into the bladder, which is the key feature for identification.

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 1

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Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.