Foley Catheter Care

Foley Catheter Care

PATIENT NAME ______SOC ______

INITIAL

Define Foley catheter.

______A. It is a tubing inserted directly into the bladder for the purpose of draining urine.

______B. It is usually inserted because of difficulty passing urine or inability to hold urine.

Catheter care procedure.

______A. Wash hands well before touching the catheter.

______B. Use soap and water to wash the area around the entrance of the catheter and down catheter tubing four to five inches.

______C. For males retract foreskin one-half to one inch to cleanse, being sure to replace it when finished.

______D. Procedure should be done twice a day and after each bowel movement.

Care of catheter bags and catheter tubing.

______A. Change catheter bags at least every 4 weeks or as needed.

______B. Between changes, the bag can be washed with a mixture of 1-1/4 cups vinegar and two quarts water to cleanse bag and decrease odor.

______C. Maintain good drainage by checking frequently for kinks or loops in the tubing.

______D. Secure catheter tubing to leg to prevent pulling.

______E. Keep drainage bag below level of the bladder at all times to prevent infection.

______F. Empty bag at least two times a day and as needed.

Demonstrate how to empty a drainage bag.

______A. Unclamp the drain tube and remove it from its sleeve without touching the tip.

______B. Let the urine drain into the toilet or measuring container while being careful not to let the tip touch anything.

______C. When the bag is empty, swab the tip of the drain tube with an alcohol swab.

Demonstrate how to change a leg bag to a night bag.

______A. Empty the urine from the bag.

______B. Swab the connection between the catheter and the leg bag with alcohol and then disconnect the leg bag.

______C. Cover the opening to the leg bag with a plastic cap.

______D. Connect the night bag securely to the catheter.

______E. Secure the catheter with a catheter leg strap leaving slack in the line to prevent pulling.

Signs and symptoms of possible complications.

______A. Urinary-tract infection: cloudy urine, foul odor, fever, pain in bladder area.

______B. Blocked catheter: lack of urine draining into catheter firm, distended abdomen.

______C. Bladder spasms: intermittent pain in abdomen, leaking of catheter.

Measures to preform if complications occur.

A. Urinary-tract infection:

______1. Increase fluids to 2000–3000 ml per day if not contraindicated to prevent urinary-tract infection.

______2. Provide care to keep catheter clean.

______3. Notify physician and take antibiotics as ordered.

B. Blocked catheter:

______1. Remove catheter by using a syringe to pull water out of balloon.

______2. Pad client until catheter can be reinserted.

C. Bladder spasms:

______1. Prevent pulling on the catheter.

______2. Report continued spasms to physician.

D. Leaking:

______1. Assess for possible causes, i.e., constipation, bladder spasms, catheter blockage.

______2. Irrigate catheter.

______3. Call nurse to change catheter if leaking continues.

E. Bleeding:

______1. Irrigate catheter.

______2. Notify physician.

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