Urinary Catheters

Question 1

Indications for urinary catheter

Answer 1

• urinary retention due to lower urinary tract obstruction
• neurogenic bladder
• surgery
• output monitoring
• bladder irritation e.g. to wash out blood clots in bladder
• delivery of meds e.g. chemotherapy for baldder cancer

Question 2

Types of urethral catheters

Answer 2

• intermediate catheters: used to drain urine, then immediately removed
• foley catheter (two way): standard catheter with inflatable balloon
• coude tip catheter: curved tip to help navigate past obstruction
• three way catheter: three tubes for inflating balloon, injecting irrigation + drainage

Question 3

Most commonly used catheter

Answer 3

Foley (two way) catheter

Question 4

Outline suprapubic catheters

Answer 4

• inserted through abdomen into bladder under LA
• just above pubic symphysis
• inflated balloon holds in place

Question 5

What is trial without catheter

Answer 5

• Involves removing urethral catheter to see if patient can manage without it
• after removal, urine output is monitored + bladder scan used to make sure there is minimal residual urine in bladder

Question 6

Complications of catheters

Answer 6

• catheter associated UTIs
• trauma to structures
• catheter blockage

Question 7

Where should a urine sample be taken from in catheter associated UTIs?

Answer 7

Directly from the catheter or sample port
NOT from bag