Health Topics

Bladder

A muscular sac which holds urine until it is emptied from the body.

Bladder overdistention

A bladder filled beyond normal capacity.

Catheter

A tube used for emptying urine from the bladder.

Labia

Folds of skin covering the urethral and vaginal openings.

Lubricant

A water soluble, jelly-like substance used to prevent irritation. (Do not use a petroleum-based product, such as Vaseline. Use a product such as K-Y Jelly, which will not damage the catheter).

Urethra

The tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside.

Vagina

The canal leading from the uterus to the outside.

Void

To urinate; to empty the bladder.

Assemble after washing hands

• Lubricant (K-Y Jelly or Lubafax if needed)
• Paper towel
• Diaper (for infants)
• Container for urine collection or be near the toilet
• Plastic cup (if a specimen is needed)
• Cotton balls, gauze squares, Betadine swabs or baby wipes
• Soap and water (a mild soap, such as liquid ivory)
• Catheter, size___________

(May vary according to your doctor's preference)

1. Wash hands well with soap and water.
2. Place catheter on paper towel or leave in Ziploc bag, if self sterilized. If disposable, open pack and leave catheter in pack. Roll the tip and the first 1-2 inches in lubricant if needed and place nearby.
3. For babies, take off old diaper and place on new diaper.
4. Separate the labia (the skin around the vagina) with nondominant hand. With the other hand, wash area well with soap and water or antiseptic if directed so by your doctor. Be careful to wash from front to back. Continue holding labia open. Use three cleaning swabs, wiping only one time from front to back with each. Clean the area three times with betadine swabs or baby wipes.
5. Locate urinary opening above vagina. Insert catheter 1 to 2-1/2 inches until urine flows freely. If you meet resistance, try changing angle of the catheter. Do not force the catheter.
6. Allow urine to flow into new diaper (for infants), specimen container or toilet.
7. When urine stops flowing, slowly remove catheter, allowing all urine to drain.
8. Rinse antiseptic off.
9. Note appearance and amount of urine. If something unusual happens, report to your doctor.
10. To self sterilize catheters, follow instructions given by doctor.
11. You should catheterize________ time(s) a day.

In infants

Look out for cloudy or dark urine, blood in the urine, vomiting, chills or fever, crankiness, drowsiness, swelling or redness around the urethral opening, a change in the smell of urine, a noticeable decrease in the amount of urine, an unusual discharge from the urethra or around the catheter.

In older children

Look out for cloudy or dark urine, blood in the urine, nausea or vomiting, chills or fever, flank pain, sleepiness, painful urination, more frequent urination, a noticeable decrease in the amount of urine, unusual discharge from the urethra or around catheter.

• It is important that your baby is taking ______ounces of formula at feeding times
• Offer the baby a pacifier, comforting toy, or turn on a musical mobile to distract them
• Hold and comfort the baby afterwards

• It is very important that you catheterize your child on time, every time, and that you do not skip it. Evenly space catheter times from morning to night.
• Drink plenty of liquids to improve the flow of urine through the kidneys

Urine Leaking During Catheterization

• The catheter may not be inserted far enough
• The catheter may be blocked
• The bladder may be having a contraction

Little or No Urine During Catheterization

The catheter may not be inserted far enough. You may not be drinking adequate fluids. The catheter may be blocked. Urine may already have leaked out.

Blood in the Catheter

It usually indicates a mild bladder or urethral irritation. It will usually clear by itself. If blood persists or is associated with difficulty in passing the catheter, contact your doctor. You should never have to force a catheter into the bladder.