How To Put In A Suprapubic Catheter

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A catheter is a medical device consisting of a long, thin tube which can be fitted with a variety of different tips to serve a range of functions. Catheters are inserted into the trunk as role of many different medical procedures; for instance, they are used to diagnose genitourinary (GU) tract bleeding, to monitor intracranial pressure, and even administer sure 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. Like all medical procedures, fifty-fifty this mutual i, proper medical training and strict adherence to prophylactic and sanitation procedures are a must.^[1]

1. one

   Explain the process to the patient earlier beginning. Nigh patients are not used to inserting any object, allow alone a long tube, into their urethra. Though this isn't ever described as "painful," information technology is often described as "uncomfortable," even intensely so. Out of respect for the patient, explicate the steps of the procedure to him or her before beginning.^[2]

   • Explaining the steps and what to expect can also help the patient relax and avoid anxiety.

2. 2

   Ask the patient to lie on on their back. The patient'southward legs should be spread and their feet should be together. Lying in a supine position relaxes the bladder and urethra, facilitating easier catheter insertion. A tense urethra compresses the catheter, which results in resistance during insertion, causing pain and sometimes even impairment to the underlying tissue of the urethra. In severe cases, this may crusade haemorrhage.

   • Help the patient in getting into the supine position if necessary.

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3. three

   Launder your easily and put on sterile gloves. Gloves are an of import office of the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) health care workers utilize to protect themselves and the patient during medical procedures. In the case of catheter insertion, sterile gloves help ensure that bacteria are not introduced into the urethra and that the patient'due south actual fluids do not come up into contact with your hands.^[3]

4. 4

   Open the catheter assembly. Single-utilize catheters come in sealed, sterile kits. Before opening the kit, ensure you lot take the correct catheter for your purposes. Yous will need a catheter that is the correct size for your patient. Catheters are rated for size in units called French (1 French = 1/3 mm) and are available in sizes from 12 (modest) to 48 (big) French.^[four]

   • Smaller catheters are usually ameliorate for the patient'due south condolement, but larger catheters may be necessary to bleed thick urine or to ensure the catheter stays in place.
   • Some catheters too have specialized tips that let them to serve different functions. For instance, a type of catheter called a Foley catheter is ordinarily used for draining urine because it includes a balloon attachment which tin can exist inflated to secure the catheter behind the bladder cervix.
   • Gather medical-class disinfectant, cotton swabs, surgical drapes, lubricant, water, tubing, a drainage purse, and record. All items should be properly cleaned and/or sterilized.

5. v

   Sterilize and fix the patient'southward genital area. Scrub the patient's genital area with disinfectant-soaked cotton swabs. Rinse or scrub the surface area with sterile water or alcohol to remove any droppings. Repeat every bit needed. When finished, lay downward surgical drapes around the genitals, leaving a infinite for access to the penis or vagina.^[5]

   • For female person patients, be sure to clean the labia and urethral meatus (the outside of the opening of the urethra located in a higher place the vagina). For men, make clean the urethral opening on the penis.
   • Cleaning should be done from inside to outside and so as not to contaminate the urethra. In other words, beginning at the urethral opening and gently piece of work your way outward in a round way.

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1. 1

   Apply lubricant to the tip of the catheter. Coat the distal portion of the catheter (the 0.78-1.97 in (ii-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 balloon catheter, be sure to lubricate the airship portion at the tip besides.^[6]

2. 2

   If the patient is female person, agree the labia open up and insert the catheter into the urethral meatus. Hold the catheter in your dominant hand and use your non-dominant hand to spread the patient's labia and so that y'all are able to see the urethral opening. Gently insert the tip of the catheter into the urethra.^[7]

3. 3

   If the patient is male, hold the penis and insert the catheter into the urethral opening. Agree the penis in your not-dominant mitt and gently pull upwards, perpendicular to the patient's torso. Insert the tip of the catheter into the patient'south urethra with your dominant hand.^[eight]

4. 4

   Keep 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. Later urine begins to flow, continue to button the catheter into the bladder another 2 inches (five.08 cm) to make certain the catheter is against the neck of the bladder.

5. 5

   If using a balloon catheter, inflate the balloon with sterile water. Use a h2o-filled syringe to inflate the balloon via sterile tubing continued to the catheter. The inflated balloon serves as an anchor and so as non to readapt the catheter when moving. Once inflated, pull gently on the catheter to ensure the balloon is seated snugly against the neck of the bladder.^[nine]

   • The amount of sterile water you utilize to inflate the balloon depends on the size of the balloon on the catheter. Usually, about 10 cc of water is required, only bank check the size of your balloon to be sure.

6. half dozen

   Connect the catheter to the drainage pocketbook. Use sterile medical tubing to permit urine to drain into a drainage pocketbook. Secure the catheter to the patient's thigh or belly with tape.

   • Make certain y'all place the drainage pocketbook lower than the patient's float. Catheters work via gravity - urine cannot bleed "uphill."
   • In a medical environment, catheters can be left in for as long every bit 12 weeks earlier being changed, though they are often removed much earlier. Some catheters, such as a directly or intermittent catheter, for instance, are removed immediately after urine stops flowing.

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• Question

  Practice you inflate the balloon within the bladder?

  

  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 support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Plant in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2022.

  

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  Expert Answer

• Question

  How often do you modify the Foley catheter?

  

  Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over ten years of feel education and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous (4) therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Plant in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2022.

  

  Registered Nurse

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  Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert respond.

  An indwelling catheter, such equally a Foleycatheter may stay in identify for up to 12 weeks. It is imperative to monitor for infection. If signs or symptoms of infection or irritation are present the catheter needs removed and replaced nether 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 purse on an viii hour wheel.

• Most wellness care workers follow universal precautions and use a sterile technique, which includes wearing sterile gloves, face and/or centre protection, and sterile gowns besides as working in a sterile environment when inserting a catheter.

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• Some patients may be allergic to latex. Watch for reactions.

• The catheter may exist inserted incorrectly if it leaks or little or no urine empties into the drainage bag.

• Watch for the following complications: strong odor, cloudy urine, fever, or bleeding.

• Foley catheters should just be inserted by medical professionals, or with their supervision. Improper insertion of a Foley catheter can cause catastrophic urethral trauma.

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Things Y'all'll Demand

• Gloves (sterile)
• Drapes (sterile)
• Solution for cleaning the peel
• Cotton wool swabs
• Sterile h2o
• Lubricant
• Tubing
• Drainage bag
• Tape
• Sterile water
• Syringe

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Article Summary X

To insert a catheter, take the patient lie on their back with their legs spread and anxiety together. After y'all've washed your hands and put on gloves, sterilize the patient's genital area with disinfectant-soaked cotton swabs to decrease the likelihood of infection. Next, coat the tip of the catheter with lubricant and insert it into the urethral opening. Depending on the patient, you'll either demand to concur the labia open or hold the penis while you push the catheter into the bladder. When urine begins flowing, push the catheter in ii more inches to make sure it'south against the neck of the bladder. Then, if y'all're using a balloon catheter, inflate the balloon with sterile h2o. Otherwise, connect the catheter to the drainage bag and secure it to the patient's thigh with tape. For more than tips from our Medical co-author, like how to choose the correct catheter size, read on.

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