Urinary Catheterisation

Question 1

def

Answer 1

a procedure whereby a flexible tube is inserted into the urethra (in men or women) and is used to empty the bladder and collect urine in a drainage bag

Question 2

indications

Answer 2

often used when people have difficulty urinating such as in benign prostatic hyperplasia, bladder weakness
used to empty the bladder before, during or after surgery

Question 3

what types of urinary catheters are there

Answer 3

intermittent catheters (temporarily inserted into the bladder and removed once the bladder is empty)
indwelling catheters (remain in place for days and weeks, held in place by an inflated balloon in the bladder)

Question 4

complications

Answer 4

UTIs (the longer a catheter is in-situ the greater the risk)
bladder spasms (feels like a stomach cramp and is the bladder trying to push out the balloon)
catheter leakage or blood in the catheter could indicate that the catheter is blocked