Explaining the steps and what to expect can also help the patient relax and avoid anxiety.
Assist the patient in getting into the supine position if necessary.
Smaller catheters are usually better for the patient’s comfort, but larger catheters may be necessary to drain thick urine or to ensure the catheter stays in place. Some catheters also have specialized tips that allow them to serve different functions. For instance, a type of catheter called a Foley catheter is usually used for draining urine because it includes a balloon attachment which can be inflated to secure the catheter behind the bladder neck. Gather medical-grade disinfectant, cotton swabs, surgical drapes, lubricant, water, tubing, a drainage bag, and tape. All items should be properly cleaned and/or sterilized.
For female patients, be sure to clean the labia and urethral meatus (the outside of the opening of the urethra located above the vagina). For men, clean the urethral opening on the penis. Cleaning should be done from inside to outside so as not to contaminate the urethra. In other words, start at the urethral opening and gently work your way outward in a circular fashion.
The amount of sterile water you use to inflate the balloon depends on the size of the balloon on the catheter. Usually, about 10 cc of water is required, but check the size of your balloon to be sure.
Make sure you place the drainage bag lower than the patient’s bladder. Catheters work via gravity - urine cannot drain “uphill. " In a medical environment, catheters can be left in for as long as 12 weeks before being changed, though they are often removed much earlier. Some catheters, such as a straight or intermittent catheter, for instance, are removed immediately after urine stops flowing.
