Urethral Catheterization

Question 1

Indications for Catheterization

Answer 1

. Decompression of the bladder
- Prevent bladder trauma during pelvic procedures
- Prevent bladder distention (swelling)
- Provide better surgical site visualization during pelvic procedures
- Facilitate healing of urinary tract structures following genitourinary procedures
. Preoperative monitoring of urine output to aid in assessing kidney function and fluid balance
. Drainage of urine
- To prevent overfilling of the bladder during long procedures
- Relieve urinary retention
- Measure urinary output
- Obtain sterile urine specimen
- To treat incontinence
. Irrigation of the bladder
. Control of bleeding
- Placing a balloon on the bladder neck after a TURP procedure

Question 2

Considerations for Urethral Catheterization

Answer 2

. Sterile technique
. Large % of nosocomial infections with contaminated catheter
. May cause patient injury, UTI
. Use of smallest size
. Foley Cath is the most commonly used
- Fr 8 to Fr 30 (Fr 14 & Fr 16 is commonly used)
. Inflated with water not saline
. 5cc is inflated with 10cc
. Drainage by gravity
. Catheter should be secured

Question 3

Urethral Catheterization Procedure

Answer 3

. Prepare area
. Check package
. Open package
. Don sterile gloves
. Place drape
. Prepare the supplies
. Use non dominant hand to expose meatus
. Clean urethral meatus
. Insertion of the catheter
. Inflate balloon
. Connect to urine bag
. Position lower than the bladder