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CATHETERIZATION
Introduction
The ability to insert a urinary catheter is an
essential skill in medicine.
Catheters are sized in units called French,
where one French equals 1/3 of 1 mm.
Catheters vary from 6 (small) FR to 26 (large)
FR in size.
They also come in different varieties including
ones without a bladder balloon, and ones with
different sized balloons - you should check
how much the balloon is made to hold when
inflating the balloon with water!
Types of
Catheters
Latex or silicone
2-way Foley catheters (retention catheters)
Have an inflatable balloon that encircles the tip
near the lumen or opening of the catheter.
Curved / Coude or straight
Catheters have a rounded curved tip (elbowed)
used in older male patients with enlarged prostates
which partially obstruct the urethra.
3-way Foley catheter
Often called retention catheter, they have 2 or 3
lumens that encircle the body of the catheter. One
lumen drains the urine through the catheter into a
collection bag. The second lumen holds the sterile
water when the catheter is inflated and is also used
to deflate the balloon. The third lumen may be used
to instill medications into the bladder or provide a
route for continuous bladder irrigation.
Indications
By inserting a Foley catheter, you are gaining access to the
bladder and its contents. Thus enabling you to drain bladder
contents, decompress the bladder, obtain a specimen, and
introduce a passage into the GU tract. This will allow you to
treat urinary retention, and bladder outlet obstruction.
Urinary output is also a sensitive indicator of volume status
and renal perfusion (and thus tissue perfusion also).
In the emergency department, catheters can be used to aid
in the diagnosis of GU bleeding.
In some cases, as in urethral stricture or prostatic
hypertrophy, insertion will be difficult and early
consultation with urology is essential.
Contraindications
Foley catheters are contraindicated in the presence
of urethral trauma.
Urethral injuries may occur in patients with multisystem
injuries and pelvic factures, as well as straddle impacts. If
this is suspected, one must perform a genital and rectal
exam first. If one finds blood at the meatus of the urethra,
a scrotal hematoma, a pelvic fracture, or a high riding
prostate then a high suspicion of urethral tear is present.
One must then perform retrograde urethrography
(injecting 20 cc of contrast into the urethra).
Universal Precautions
The potential for contact with a patient's
blood/body fluids while starting a catheter is
present and increases with the inexperience of the
operator. Gloves must be worn while starting the
Foley, not only to protect the user, but also to
prevent infection in the patient. Trauma protocol
calls for all team members to wear gloves, face and
eye protection and gowns.
EQUIPMENT Sterile gloves - consider Universal
Precautions
Sterile drapes
Cleansing solution e.g.
Savlon/betadine
Cotton swabs
Forceps
Sterile water (usually 10 cc)
Foley catheter (usually 16-18 French)
Syringe (usually 10 cc)
Lubricant (water based jelly or
xylocaine jelly)
Collection bag and tubing
PROCEDURE Gather equipment.
Explain procedure to the patient
Assist patient into supine position
with legs spread and feet together
Open catheterization kit and
catheter
Prepare sterile field, apply sterile
gloves
Check balloon for patency.
Generously coat the distal portion
(2-5 cm) of the catheter with
lubricant
Apply sterile drape
Procedure If female, separate labia using
non-dominant hand.
If male, hold the penis with the
non-dominant hand. Maintain
hand position until preparing to
inflate balloon.
Using dominant hand to handle
forceps, cleanse peri-urethral
mucosa with cleansing solution.
Cleanse anterior to posterior,
inner to outer, one swipe per
swab, discard swab away from
sterile field.
Procedure
Pick up catheter with gloved (and still sterile)
dominant hand. Hold end of catheter loosely
coiled in palm of dominant hand.
In the male, lift the penis to a position
perpendicular to patient's body and apply light
upward traction (with non-dominant hand)
Identify the urinary meatus and gently insert
until 1 to 2 inches beyond where urine is noted
Inflate balloon, using correct amount of sterile
liquid (usually 10 cc but check actual balloon
size)
Gently pull catheter until inflation balloon is
snug against bladder neck
Connect catheter to drainage system
CHECK BALLOON SIZE
Procedure Secure catheter to abdomen or thigh,
without tension on tubing
Place drainage bag below level of
bladder
Evaluate catheter function and
amount, color, odor, and quality of
urine
Remove gloves, dispose of equipment
appropriately, wash hands
Document size of catheter inserted,
amount of water in balloon, patient's
response to procedure, and
assessment of urine
Complications
The main complications are tissue trauma and infection
(CAUTI). After 48 hours of catheterization, most catheters
are colonized with bacteria, thus leading to possible
bacteruria and its complications. Catheters can also cause
renal inflammation, nephro-cysto-lithiasis, and
pyelonephritis if left in for prolonged periods.
The most common short term complications are inability to
insert catheter, and causation of tissue trauma during the
insertion.
The alternatives to urethral catheterization include
suprapubic catheterization and external condom catheters
for longer durations.