WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
A Foley catheter (KATH-uh-ter)--a soft, thin rubber tube
with a balloon on the end--is used to drain urine from the
bladder. It can remain in place for a short or long period of
time. The catheter is threaded through the urinary duct
(urethra) and into the bladder. A Foley catheter is
needed when normal urination is disrupted by an infection, a
swollen prostate gland, bladder stones, or, sometimes, an
injury. In very sick people, a catheter may be used to keep
track of urine production.
Risks
Your bladder or urethra could be injured when the Foley
catheter is inserted. You could also develop an infection. But,
if you follow your doctor's directions, you should not have
problems.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay:
-
Taking Your Vital Signs: These include your
temperature, blood pressure, pulse (counting your
heartbeats), and respirations (counting your breaths). A
stethoscope is used to listen to your heart and lungs. Your
blood pressure is taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Inserting the Foley Catheter:
-
You will lie on your back covered by a sheet. Using
sterile gloves, your doctor will carefully clean the area
around your urethra.
-
The catheter will be gently inserted in your
urethra and passed up to your
bladder.
-
When the tube reaches your bladder, the balloon at
the tip will be filled with sterile water by your doctor.
This will hold the catheter in
place.
-
The balloon presses against the wall of your
bladder. This may make you feel the need to urinate.
However, the urine will drain out the catheter,
instead.
-
To keep it secure, the catheter will be taped to
your belly or leg.
-
The insertion will take about 10
minutes.
After You Leave
-
Do NOT pull on the catheter or try to remove it. Keep
the catheter tube taped or tied to your leg to prevent
accidental pulling.
-
Always keep the urine drainage bag below the level of
your bladder. This prevents urine from running back into
your bladder and reduces your chances of getting a bladder
infection.
-
Do not puncture, cut, or clamp the
catheter.
-
To help keep the catheter from clogging, drink 8
glasses of water a day. Your urine should be clear or pale
yellow.
-
Empty the drainage bag frequently. Do not allow the
urine to sit in the bag for more than 2 or 3 hours. This
helps prevent infection and also reduces odor and the
chance of leakage. Measure and write down the amount of
urine you empty from the bag.
-
If crusty deposits form on the catheter, they should
be washed off gently with warm water and mild soap. Rinse
the area well after washing. Do not put creams or ointments
on the catheter unless prescribed by your
doctor.
-
You may shower with the catheter in place, but do not
take tub baths.
-
The catheter will need to be changed regularly. Be
sure to keep your appointments.
Call Your Doctor If
-
The catheter's point of entry is
painful.
-
You feel pain or burning in your
bladder.
-
You begin to see blood in your
urine.
-
Bloody or pus-like discharge appears around the
catheter.
-
You have a high temperature.
-
The catheter slips out.
-
No urine is draining into the urine
bag.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
Your symptoms get worse.
-
Your temperature gets very high.
-
You notice blood specks in your urine, or the urine
becomes red or smelly.
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