Urinary Catheters
Urinary Catheters (Indwelling Catheters)
Two main types:
1. Retention balloon (Foley) Uses saline in the balloon
2. Straight Catheter
Uses French system for sizing.
2.6 to 5.99 mm
8 F to 18 F
Urinary or Indwelling Catheter Placement
Urinary catheterization is performed under aseptic technique.
1. Tip of catheter goes into the urinary bladder cavity.
2. Catheter tubing is taped to the inside of the leg.
3. The end of tube is attached to a calibrated drainage bag.
4. The drainage bag must be kept lower than patient's bladder at all times to prevent retrograde flow into bladder.
Foley Catheter
Various purposes:
–Bladder emptying
–Relieve bladder retention
–Irrigate bladder
–Introduce drugs into bladder
–Permit accurate measurement of urine output
–Relieve incontinence
Removing a Urinary Catheter
Is performed for voiding cystourethrograms. Put on gloves. Uncover the patient and place a basin under the catheter valve, cut the tip of the balloon valve with scissors and allow water to drain into basin. Once flow has ceased, place towels under catheter and pull gently. Once removed, wrap in towels, cover patient and discard the catheter.