How To Use A Texas Catheter

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A catheter is a medical device consisting of a long, thin tube which tin exist fitted with a variety of unlike tips to serve a range of functions. Catheters are inserted into the body as part of many different medical procedures; for instance, they are used to diagnose genitourinary (GU) tract bleeding, to monitor intracranial pressure level, and even administer certain medicines. In common usage, "inserting a catheter" usually refers to the common practice of inserting a urinary catheter into the float via a patient's urethra for the purpose of draining urine. Similar all medical procedures, even this common one, proper medical preparation and strict adherence to safety and sanitation procedures are a must.^[1]

1
Explain the process to the patient before kickoff. Most patients are not used to inserting any object, let alone a long tube, into their urethra. Though this isn't ever described as "painful," information technology is ofttimes described as "uncomfortable," even intensely so. Out of respect for the patient, explain the steps of the procedure to him or her earlier beginning.^[2]
- Explaining the steps and what to expect can also help the patient relax and avoid anxiety.
2
Ask the patient to prevarication on on their back. The patient's legs should be spread and their feet should be together. Lying in a supine position relaxes the float and urethra, facilitating easier catheter insertion. A tense urethra compresses the catheter, which results in resistance during insertion, causing pain and sometimes fifty-fifty harm to the underlying tissue of the urethra. In severe cases, this may cause bleeding.
- Assist the patient in getting into the supine position if necessary.
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3

Wash your hands and put on sterile gloves. Gloves are an important part of the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) wellness care workers utilize to protect themselves and the patient during medical procedures. In the case of catheter insertion, sterile gloves help ensure that leaner are not introduced into the urethra and that the patient'southward actual fluids do non come into contact with your hands.^[3]
4
Open the catheter assembly. Unmarried-employ catheters come in sealed, sterile kits. Earlier opening the kit, ensure yous accept the correct catheter for your purposes. You will need a catheter that is the right size for your patient. Catheters are rated for size in units chosen French (1 French = i/three mm) and are available in sizes from 12 (small) to 48 (large) French.^[4]
- Smaller catheters are normally better for the patient's comfort, but larger catheters may exist necessary to drain thick urine or to ensure the catheter stays in identify.
- Some catheters also have specialized tips that let them to serve different functions. For instance, a blazon of catheter called a Foley catheter is usually used for draining urine because it includes a airship attachment which tin can be inflated to secure the catheter backside the bladder cervix.
- Assemble medical-grade disinfectant, cotton swabs, surgical drapes, lubricant, water, tubing, a drainage bag, and tape. All items should be properly cleaned and/or sterilized.
5
Sterilize and set the patient's genital surface area. Scrub the patient's genital expanse with disinfectant-soaked cotton swabs. Rinse or scrub the surface area with sterile water or alcohol to remove any debris. Repeat as needed. When finished, lay down surgical drapes around the genitals, leaving a space for admission to the penis or vagina.^[5]
- For female patients, be certain to clean the labia and urethral meatus (the outside of the opening of the urethra located above the vagina). For men, clean the urethral opening on the penis.
- Cleaning should be done from within to outside so as not to contaminate the urethra. In other words, starting time at the urethral opening and gently work your way outward in a circular fashion.

1

Apply lubricant to the tip of the catheter. Coat the distal portion of the catheter (the 0.78-one.97 in (2-5 cm) portion at the tip) with a generous amount of lubricant. This is the end you will insert into the urethral opening. If using a airship catheter, be sure to lubricate the airship portion at the tip as well.^{[half dozen]}
2

If the patient is female person, hold the labia open and insert the catheter into the urethral meatus. Agree the catheter in your dominant paw and use your non-dominant hand to spread the patient's labia so that yous are able to see the urethral opening. Gently insert the tip of the catheter into the urethra.^[vii]
3

If the patient is male person, hold the penis and insert the catheter into the urethral opening. Hold the penis in your non-dominant hand and gently pull upward, perpendicular to the patient's body. Insert the tip of the catheter into the patient's urethra with your ascendant hand.^[8]
4

Continue pushing until the catheter sits in the bladder. The length of the catheter should be gently fed through the urethra and into the bladder until urine is observed. After urine begins to flow, continue to push the catheter into the bladder another 2 inches (5.08 cm) to make sure the catheter is against the cervix of the bladder.
5
If using a balloon catheter, inflate the balloon with sterile h2o. Utilize a h2o-filled syringe to inflate the balloon via sterile tubing continued to the catheter. The inflated airship serves as an anchor and then equally not to displace the catheter when moving. Once inflated, pull gently on the catheter to ensure the balloon is seated snugly against the cervix of the bladder.^[9]
- The amount of sterile h2o you use to inflate the balloon depends on the size of the balloon on the catheter. Usually, almost 10 cc of water is required, but check the size of your airship to be certain.
6
Connect the catheter to the drainage bag. Use sterile medical tubing to allow urine to bleed into a drainage bag. Secure the catheter to the patient's thigh or belly with tape.
- Make certain y'all place the drainage pocketbook lower than the patient'due south bladder. Catheters work via gravity - urine cannot bleed "uphill."
- In a medical environment, catheters can be left in for equally long as 12 weeks earlier being changed, though they are often removed much earlier. Some catheters, such as a straight or intermittent catheter, for instance, are removed immediately after urine stops flowing.

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Do y'all inflate the airship inside the float?

Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over ten years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (Iv) therapy using concrete, psychological, and emotional back up. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Plant in 2008 and a G.S. in Nursing from the Academy of Phoenix in 2013.

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How often practice you change the Foley catheter?

Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (IV) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional back up. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Found in 2008 and a Yard.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.

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An indwelling catheter, such every bit a Foleycatheter may stay in place for upwards to 12 weeks. It is imperative to monitor for infection. If signs or symptoms of infection or irritation are nowadays the catheter needs removed and replaced under the direction of a health-care provider.

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Catheters come in a variety of materials including latex, silicone and Teflon. They are also available without balloons or with dissimilar size balloons.
Empty the drainage bag on an viii hour bike.
Most health care workers follow universal precautions and use a sterile technique, which includes wearing sterile gloves, face and/or center protection, and sterile gowns as well equally working in a sterile environs when inserting a catheter.

Some patients may exist allergic to latex. Watch for reactions.
The catheter may be inserted incorrectly if it leaks or little or no urine empties into the drainage pocketbook.
Watch for the following complications: strong odor, cloudy urine, fever, or bleeding.
Foley catheters should only be inserted past medical professionals, or with their supervision. Improper insertion of a Foley catheter can cause catastrophic urethral trauma.

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Things You'll Need

Gloves (sterile)
Drapes (sterile)
Solution for cleaning the skin
Cotton wool swabs
Sterile water
Lubricant
Tubing
Drainage pocketbook
Record
Sterile h2o
Syringe

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To insert a catheter, have the patient lie on their dorsum with their legs spread and feet together. After yous've washed your hands and put on gloves, sterilize the patient's genital surface area with disinfectant-soaked cotton swabs to subtract the likelihood of infection. Adjacent, coat the tip of the catheter with lubricant and insert information technology into the urethral opening. Depending on the patient, y'all'll either need to hold the labia open or concur the penis while you push the catheter into the float. When urine begins flowing, push button the catheter in 2 more inches to brand sure it's against the neck of the bladder. Then, if y'all're using a balloon catheter, inflate the airship with sterile water. Otherwise, connect the catheter to the drainage bag and secure it to the patient's thigh with record. For more tips from our Medical co-writer, similar how to choose the right catheter size, read on.

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