Urinary Catheter Care and Removal

Routine Catheter Care

■ Use standard precautions.

■ Keep bag below level of Pt’s bladder at all times.

■ Check frequently to be sure there are no kinks or loops in tubing and that Pt is not lying on tubing.

■ Do not pull or tug on catheter.

■ Wash around catheter entry site with soap and water twice each day and after each bowel movement.

■ Do not use powder around catheter entry site.

■ Periodically check skin around catheter entry site for signs of irritation, redness, tenderness, swelling, or drainage.

■ Offer fluids frequently (if not contraindicated by health status), especially water or cranberry juice.

■ Record urine output every shift or per physician orders.

■ Empty collection bag each shift; note quantity, color, clarity, odor, and presence of sediment.

■ Notify physician of any of the following:

■ Blood, cloudiness, or foul odor.

■ Decreased urine output (<30 mL/hour): order bladder scan.

■ Irritation, redness, tenderness, swelling, or drainage or leaking around catheter entry site.

■ Fever or abdominal or flank pain.

Procedure for Removal

■ Don gloves and observe standard precautions.

■ Use 10-mL syringe to withdraw all water from balloon. Some catheter balloons are overinflated or have up to 30-mL balloon; withdraw and discard water until no more water can be removed.

■ Hold a clean 4x4 at meatus in nondominant hand. With dominant hand, gently pull catheter. If you meet resistance, stop and reassess if balloon is completely deflated. If balloon appears to be deflated and catheter cannot be removed easily, notify physician.

■ Wrap tip in clean 4x4 as it is withdrawn to prevent leakage of urine. If culture of catheter tip is desired, wrap tip in sterile 4x4 as it is withdrawn.

■ Note time that catheter was discontinued.

■ Provide bedpan, urinal, or assistance to bathroom as needed.

■ Document time of removal and how Pt tolerated procedure.

■ Document amount and time of spontaneous void.

■ If Pt does not void within 8 hours, palpate bladder and notify physician. Catheter may need to be reinserted.