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INDWELLING CATHETER
Any catheter which is
inserted into the bladder and allowed to remain in the bladder is called an
indwelling catheter. A common type of indwelling catheter is a Foley catheter. A
Foley catheter has a balloon attachment at one end. After the Foley catheter is
inserted, the balloon is filled with sterile water. The filled balloon prevents
the catheter from leaving the bladder.
STAYING HEALTHY WITH
A FOLEY CATHETER
DO
 | Drink at least 4000cc (4 quarts) of
liquid a day to keep urinary output over two quarts. Check urine daily for
color, odor, etc. |
| Keep urine pH at 5.5 or under
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| Check leg bag every 1-2 hours; if
nothing is in it look for cause. |
| Take medication regularly as prescribed
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| Wash genital area twice daily, or more
often if needed, especially around the catheter |
| Men: tape catheter on abdomen at night
to prevent fistula |
| Use only sterilized equipment for
irrigation and drainage |
| Use sterile technique for urinary
procedures |
| Irrigate only with prescribed solution
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| Report signs of infection to your
doctor |
| Have urinary work-up every six months
to one year as ordered. This includes sonogram and cystogram, which are X-rays
of urinary system (also blood tests and urine tests). Entire work-up usually
can be done in a few hours as an outpatient. |
| If your catheter plugs, change it
immediately. Pinch catheter between fingers daily to feel if there is grit
inside. If there is, it is time to change the catheter. |
| Change catheter as often as recommended
by your doctor (usually every 2-4 weeks) unless it plugs |
| If you notice eggshell-like particles
in catheter tip, or in urine let your doctor know |
DO NOT
| Touch with your bare hands anything
that will go into the catheter or directly into your bladder, i.e., tips of
leg bag, irrigation syringe or solution. |
| Allow the night drainage tubing to be
higher than your bladder. The urine drains back into bladder and can cause
infection. |
| Let your bladder get too full from a
plugged catheter, too full bag, etc. |
| Use a leg bag when in bed overnight.
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TAPING A CATHETER
(FEMALE)
WHY IS IT DONE?
| To prevent the catheter from being
pulled out of the bladder. |
WHAT YOU NEED?
| Paper tape |
WHAT TO DO
| Cut six-inch strip of one inch paper
tape |
| Place tape down on catheter about 2-3
inches from the end |
| Secure both ends of the tape to the
inner thigh. Alternate thighs to prevent skin irritation |
TAPING A CATHETER (MALE)
WHY IS IT DONE?
To prevent:
| Peno-scrotal fistula |
| Catheter from being pulled out of
bladder |
WHAT YOU NEED?
| Paper tape |
WHAT TO DO
| Cut six-inch strip of one inch paper
tape |
| Place the tape down on the catheter
about 2-3 inches from the end |
| Secure both ends of the tape to the
abdomen below the navel. |
OTHER INFORMATION
Taping the catheter while in a wheelchair can help prevent it from being
pulled out
It must be taped up at night, or when you are lying down for a
long time.
STAYING HEALTH WITHOUT A FOLEY CATHETER
DO
| Drink amount of liquid necessary to
keep urine clear or light in color |
| Check urine daily for color, odor, and
eggshell-like particles (call your doctor if these are seen in your urine).
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| Keep urine pH 5.5 or under |
| Take medication regularly as prescribed
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| Wash genital area twice daily or more
often if needed. If you wear an external catheter, wash when changing the
catheter and leave it off at least 15 minutes. |
| Empty bladder regularly, usually every
3-4 hours |
| Do intermittent catheterization as
often as needed so that more than 300cc of urine do not accumulate.
Catheterize for residual urine as often as ordered. |
| Use proper technique for urinary
procedures. If you ever need to irrigate following catheterization, use only
sterile equipment. |
| Have urinary work-up every six months
to one year as ordered. This includes sonogram and cystogram, which are X-rays
of the urinary system, as well as blood and urine tests, all of which can be
done in a few hours as an outpatient. |
| If residual urine is ordered regularly,
report any marked increase in amount to your doctor (i.e. 60cc or more)
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| Drink cranberry or prune juice to
promote acidic urine and reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.
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DO NOT
| Let your bladder get too full of urine
(not over 300cc). If your bladder is very small, the amount is less.
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| Leave external catheters on so long
that skin gets irritated |
| Apply external catheters too tightly or
sores will occur |
| Use permanent rubber externals as skin
breakdown can occur |
| Apply external catheter over a sore
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| Stretch tape or overlap tape when
applying the external catheter or it will act as a tourniquet and cause
pressure sores |
| Decrease fluid intake -You may become
dehydrated, prone to stones, UTI's (urinary tract infections), etc.
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