A urinary catheter is used to help urine pass out of the body when a patient cannot urinate on their own. There are many reasons why a patient may be prescribed a urinary catheter, such as after surgery, cancer treatment, or a blockage in the urethra. Because the catheter is inserted directly from the outside of the body into the bladder, bacteria can enter the body and cause a urinary tract infection. So how should a patient with a urinary catheter be cared for?