Catheterization of Urinary Bladder with
Straight Catheter
Date Revised/Reviewed:
Approved By
Group/Commmittee:
11/2006
Provision of Care Committee
Purpose: To introduce a catheter through the urethra into the bladder to relieve retention
of urine and/or aid in diagnosis.
Policy: Catheterization of the bladder will be performed upon written physician order by
nursing personnel who are trained in the correct technique of aseptic insertion.
Procedure:
EQUIPMENT:
Sterile disposable urethral catheter tray
Bedside light or flashlight.
PROCEDURE:
1)
Steps:
Explain procedure to patient.
Key Points:
2a)
Place male patients in a supine
position.
2b)
Place female patients in a supine
position with legs spread apart and
draped with a sheet.
This position provides easier access and
visibility to the area.
2c)
If patient is unable to or has
difficulty maintaining this position,
use pillows to prop up lower legs
with knees bent and heels facing
each other.
Proper use of pillows provides needed
support to the weakened patient and
decreases the potential of contamination
during the catheterization.
3)
Wash hands thoroughly before
procedure.
Hand washing should be done immediately
before and after any manipulation of the
catheter site or apparatus.
4)
Open tray.
5)
Place waterproof pad under
buttocks.
6)
Don gloves; maintain aseptic
technique.
7)
Place fenestrated drape so meatal
region is visible.
8)
Saturate absorbent balls with
antiseptic (betadine) solution; open
lubricant and lubricate
approximately 4” of the catheter.
9)
For female: separate labia with
thumb and index finger. Using the
sterile forceps provided, grasp a
saturated absorbent ball, carefully
and gently cleanse each area of the
meatus as follows; From front to
back, cleanse the far side of the
exposed area, then the near side, and
finally, directly over the meatus
discarding the soiled swab after
each use. Continue to keep labia
separated until the catheter is
inserted completely. Do not use this
contaminated hand on sterile tray
hereafter.
10)
For male: hold penis upright.
Retract foreskin if necessary to
expose the meatus. Using the sterile
forceps provided, cleanse the glands
penis with a saturated absorbent
ball. Clean in a circular motion,
starting at the meatus and working
outward discarding the soiled swab
after each use.
11)
Insert the catheter into the meatus
until urine flows. Approximately 3
inches into the female and 6 inches
into the male. NEVER FORCE
CATHETER INSERTION!
12)
Do not drain more than 700cc
initially. Clamp the catheter and
wait 20 minutes if it is necessary to
remove more urine.
13)
Remove the catheter slowly and
gently.
14)
To obtain a urine specimen refer to
policy “Culture, Urine – Straight
Catheter – Male or Female”
15)
Remove gloves, wash hands
thoroughly after procedure.
Bladder atony may result from too rapid
bladder decompression.
DOCUMENTATION:
Record on Intake and Output Record amount of urine obtained. Document patient’s
tolerance of procedure and the amount and color of urine and if specimen sent.
References:
Bouska Altman, G (2004). Delmar Fundamental & Advanced Nursing Skills (2nd ed.)
Centers for Disease Control: Guideline for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections.
Guidelines Activity, Hospital Infections Branch, Center for Infectious Disease, Centers
for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, 1982.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Department of Health and Human Services.
(2004). Title 42 (Vol. #). Subpart C – Basic Hospital Functions.
JCAHO, (2006). Hospital Accreditation Standards: provision of Care, Treatment and
Services. Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois: Joint Commission Resources.
New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, Hospitals Licensing Standards.
(2005). Nursing Care 8:43G-18.2. Nursing care polices and procedures. Trenton, New
Jersey.