First-Year Nurse by Beth Hawkes

Author:Beth Hawkes
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781510755147
Publisher: Skyhorse
Published: 2020-05-13T16:00:00+00:00

FOLEYS

Sometimes the urethra is difficult to visualize on female patients. If you tried for the urethra but instead catheterized the vagina, leave the catheter in place. Get a new catheter and try again. With the vagina now obstructed, you will be successful.

Always wait for urine flow before inflating the balloon. You can cause damage by inflating the balloon when it’s not in the bladder. If you think you got in but aren’t sure, do not inflate the balloon. Secure the tube on the thigh with a securement device or tape and wait. You usually get immediate urine return when it’s in the bladder, but not always. I have waited several minutes in some cases, and one time, over twenty minutes.

Sometimes patients will say they “can’t go” when they have an indwelling catheter. Just telling them to “go ahead and go” usually takes care of it.

After a Foley is discontinued, some patients have a hard time voiding. Morphine and other narcotics can cause this as well. The patient has the urge to go but isn’t able. Give it some time, reassure them they will be able to go, run the tap water in the sink, and measure when they do go.

Keep an eye on patients who urinate small amounts. They can easily have residual urine from not emptying completely. This happens most often after surgery and the nursing assistant will typically not realize that the small amounts are not a good sign, they’re an indicator of a problem. You must oversee the intake and output (I&O) yourself. Check with a bladder scanner if you have a concern.

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