CATHETERIZATION OF
THE URINARY BLADDER
It is the introduction of A catheter thru the urethra
into the bladder in order to remove urine.
Purposes
1. To obtain sterile urine specimen for examination as in urine
culture.
2. To relive urinary retention.
3. To ensure emptying of the bladder
prior to surgery or
delivery thereby preventing possible trauma.
4. To prevent bedwetting in an incontinent patient.
5. To remove urine when it is not advisable to for the
patient to void.
6. To determine whether failure to void is due to urinary
retention or suppression.
7. To determine residual urine.
8. To measure hourly urine output
Special Considerations
1. Before starting the procedure, check the catheter for defects.
2. Insert the catheter GENTLY.
3. Observe strict surgical asepsis throughout the procedure.
4. See to it the patient is protected from unnecessary exposure
and draft.
5. Provide adequate lighting in order to visualize well the urinary
meatus and prevent contamination.
6. Use the correct size of catheter to prevent injury to the mucous
membrane of the urethra or to cause the patient discomfort.
7. See to it that the patient is relaxed during the insertion of
catheter.
8. In case of severe bladder distention observe, gradual
decompression.
9. Ensure adequate cleanliness of the external genitalia before
inserting the catheter.
10. If the specimen is to be collected for a needed examination,
caution the patient not to void when being given with an external
douche.
Equipment: Catherization tray,
Containing the following articles:
 Urethral
catheter
 Fr.
8-10 for children
 Fr.
12-16 for female adults
 Fr.
16-20 for male adults
 Sterile
pack of kidney basin
 Lubricant,
preferably water soluble as KY Jelly.
 Antiseptic
 Cotton
 Pick-
Balls
up forceps
Catheter to be kept in place
Include also the following:
adhesive plaster
pair of scissors
rubber tubing or disposable connecting tube
urinary drainage system.
 Waterproof
 Syringe
prefilled with sterile water
 Collection
 Bath
drapes
bag and tubing
blanket or sheet for draping the client.
 Adequate
lighting (Obtain a flashlight or lamp if necessary).
 1.
Explain to the client what you are going to do.
 2.
Wash hands and observe appropriate infection control
procedures.
 3.
Provide for client privacy.
 4.
Place the client in the appropriate positions and drape
all areas except the perineum.
 A.
Female: supine with knee flexed and externally
rotated.
 B.
Male: supine, legs slightly abducted.
 5.
Established adequate lighting. Stand on the clients
right if you are left handed.

6.If using a collecting bag and it is not contained in the
catheterization kit, open the drainage package and place
the end of the tubing within reach.

7. If agency policy permits, apply
clean gloves and
inject 10 to 15 ml xylocaine gel into the urethra.
 8.
Open the catheterization kit. Place a waterproof drape
under the
buttocks (female) penis (male) without
contaminating the center of the drape with your hand.
 9. Apply
the sterile gloves.
 10.
Organize the remaining supplies
 -Saturate
 -Open
the cleansing balls with the antiseptic solution.
the lubricant package.
 -Remove
the specimen container and place it nearby with the
lid loosely on top.
 11.
Attached the prefilled syringe to the IC inflation hub and
test the balloon.
 12.
Lubricate the catheter ( 1 to 2 inch for female and 6
to 7 for male) and place it with the drainage end inside
the collection container.
 13.
Cleanse the meatus.
 14.Insert
the catheter until urine returns and continue
insertion for 2.5 -5cm.
 15.
For IC inflate the retention balloon for with the
designated balloon.
 16.Collect
a specimen if needed. Allow 20 to 30 ml to
flow into the bottle.
 17. Allow
 18.
the straight catheter to continue draining.
Examine and measure the urine.
 19.
Remove the SC when urine flow stops, while for the
IC ensure the bag is lower than the level of the patient
and the tape the catheter to patients inner thigh for
female. Hang bag below the level of the bladder.
 20.
Wipe the perineal area of any remaining antiseptic or
lubricant. Return the client to a comfortable position
 21.
Document: size and type of catheter, volume of
sterile water used to inflate the balloon the color,
clarity and amount of urine drainage during the
procedure.
Added Info
 Catheters
are made of rubber or plastic, some are latex,
silicone or pvc.
Types:
A. straight catheter- single lumen with a small eye or
opening, ½ inch from the insertion.
B. Retention or Foley Catheter –double lumen catheter,
the larger one drains urine from the bladder, the small one
is used to inflate the balloon.
C. Three way catheter for continuous or intermittent
bladder irrigation the small lumen or third lumen through
which the sterile irrigating fluid can flow into the bladder.