Urinary Catheters

Straight Catheter

■ Also called a red rubber catheter or “straight cath.” Straight catheters

have only single lumen and do not have balloon near tip. Straight

catheters are inserted for only as much time as it takes to drain bladder or

obtain urine specimen.

Indwelling Catheter

■ Also called a Foley or retention catheter. Indwelling catheters have two

lumens, one for urine drainage and the other for inflation of balloon near

tip. Three-Way Foley catheters are used for continuous or intermittent

bladder irrigation. They have a third lumen for irrigation.

Procedure for Insertion

■ Prepare Pt: Explain procedure and provide privacy.

■ Assess Pt for allergies to latex, iodine, or tape.

■ Collect appropriate equipment.

■ Place Pt in supine position (Female: knees up, legs apart; Male: legs flat, slightly apart).

■ Open and set up catheter kit using sterile technique.

■ Don sterile gloves and set up sterile field.

■ If placing indwelling catheter, check for leaks and proper inflation of balloon by filling with 5 mL of sterile water. Remove water.

■ Lubricate end of catheter.

■ Saturate cotton balls with cleansing solution.

■ With nondominant hand (now contaminated): Female: hold labia apart; use dominant (sterile) hand to hold swabs with sterile forceps and swab from front to back, in following order: (1) labia farthest from you, (2) labia nearest to you, (3) center of meatus between each labia. Use one swab per swipe. Male: retract foreskin (replace foreskin back down over penis after catheter has been successfully inserted); use dominant (sterile) hand to hold swabs with sterile forceps and swab in circular motion from meatus outward. Repeat three times, using different swab each time.

■ Gently insert catheter (about 2–3 inches for female Pts and 6–9 inches for male Pts) until return of urine is noted. Caution: Never force catheter if resistance is encountered!

■ For straight catheters: Obtain specimen or drain bladder and then remove and discard catheter.

■ For indwelling catheters: Insert additional inch and then inflate balloon with recommended volume.

■ Attach catheter to drainage bag using sterile technique.

■ Secure catheter to Pt’s leg according to hospital policy.

■ Hang drainage bag on bed frame below level of bladder.

■ Document type and size of catheter, amount and appearance of urine, and how Pt tolerated procedure.