Female urethra length and catheterization

Catheterization for female patients: The female urethral opening is short, about 3 to 5 cm long, and is highly expansile. The external urethral opening is directly below the clitoris and is sagittal fissure. Proper identification is required when inserting the catheter.

(1) Bring the powerful device to the vicinity of the hospital bed, check it, and explain its purpose to the patient to gain cooperation.

(2) Close windows and doors, and use screens to block the patient’s view if necessary.

(3) For patients who can support themselves, they should be advised to clean their vulva and should not be awakened. Help clean the vulva.

(4) Help the patient take off the opposite trouser leg, cover it on the proximal leg, and cover it with a large cotton towel, and cover the other side with a blanket. The patient lies flat on his back with his knees bent, his legs naturally separated, and his private parts exposed. Place a vulcanized rubber sheet and a medical towel (or a disposable diaper pad) under the buttocks.

(5) Place the curved tray near the perineum, wear sterile gloves on the right hand, place the prepared disinfection and sterilization materials between the patient's legs, hold the hemostatic forceps with the left hand to clamp the disinfectant cotton wool, and carry out basic disinfection and sterilization. The standard is from top to bottom and from the outside to the inside. The order is: mons pubis, labia majora on both sides, labia minora on both sides, urethral opening, and finally a cotton wool to disinfect the urethral opening to the anus. Each cotton wool is used only once. After disinfection and sterilization, take off the rubber gloves and move the curved tray and treatment bowl to the foot of the bed.

(6) Open the catheterization bag between the legs, open the inner treatment towel according to the principle of aseptic operation, wear sterile gloves, lay the hole towel, and form a sterile inspection area with the treatment towel. Place the items according to the actual operation order, lubricate the front end of the catheter and put it aside.

(7) Use the thumb and index finger of your right hand to separate and fix the labia minora, and use the left hand to hold the hemostatic forceps and sterilized cotton balls to disinfect again, from top to bottom and from inside to outside. The order is: urethral opening, labia minora on both sides, urethral opening, and each cotton wool is used only once. Air pollutants are placed in the bent tray at the foot of the bed.

(8) Instruct the patient to breathe through the mouth, hold the labia minora with the right hand, and use the left hand to change the hemostatic forceps to hold the catheter and gently insert it 4 to 6 cm into the urethra. After urine is discharged, insert it another 1 to 2 cm. Release the labia minora with the right hand and hold the catheter.

(9) Drainage method: When the treatment bowl is full of urine, immediately pinch the end of the catheter with hemostatic forceps and pour the urine into the toilet.

(10) If urine culture specimens are required, collect 5 ml of urine from the central area in a sterile specimen bottle or in vitro fertilization bottle and place it properly.

(11) After catheterization, wrap the catheter with gauze, gently pull it out, take off the rubber gloves, remove the drape, and clean up the waste.

(12) Help patients put on their pants and make their bed.

(13) Accurately measure urine output and collect specimens for testing.

(14) Wash and disinfect your hands and keep records.