A little knowledge about urinary catheters

As a common medical auxiliary tool, urinary catheters are essential for many patients. They can help patients who cannot urinate normally to drain urine and avoid various complications caused by urine retention. However, improper use or care may cause discomfort or even infection to patients. Therefore, it is important to understand the material, type, fixing principle and care method of urinary catheters.

1. Material of the Catheter

Catheters are mainly made of different materials, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone, latex, etc. PVC catheters are hard and irritating, suitable for short-term use; latex catheters are soft and biocompatible, but they are easy to form calcium, and are also suitable for short-term use; silicone catheters are softer and almost non-irritating, suitable for medium- and long-term retention, and can reduce the occurrence of urinary tract infections. In addition, there are catheters with silver ion coatings or antibacterial coatings. These special coatings help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.

2. Types of Catheters

Catheters can be divided into single-lumen, double-lumen, and triple-lumen catheters according to the lumen. Single-lumen catheters are mainly used to temporarily solve the problem of urine retention; double-lumen catheters are easy to fix and not easily contaminated, and are suitable for a variety of indwelling catheterization situations; triple-lumen catheters are mainly used for bladder irrigation or bladder instillation.

3. Type of urinary catheter

Urinary catheter models are generally classified according to diameter or circumference. The most common model marking method is the "F" series (French), which indicates the circumference of the urinary catheter or its corresponding diameter. Urinary catheter models range from 6F to 30F, covering a variety of specifications to meet the needs of different patients.

The size of the catheter does not directly determine its length. The choice of diameter must take into account both drainage effect and patient comfort. A diameter that is too small may result in poor urine drainage and affect the treatment effect; while a diameter that is too large may increase the patient's discomfort and even cause complications.

In terms of length, generally speaking, male patients need to use relatively long catheters due to their physiological structure, while female patients are more suitable for shorter catheters. Choosing a catheter of appropriate length can help reduce the patient's discomfort and improve the nursing effect.

4. Principle of fixation of urinary catheter

The catheter can be fixed in the bladder mainly because it is designed with a balloon. When in use, the doctor will insert the catheter into the bladder and inject sterile water into the balloon through the balloon cavity on the catheter to expand the balloon and get stuck to the bladder wall, thus ensuring that the catheter will not fall off.

5. Catheter care

(1) Keep the urinary catheter unobstructed : Avoid pulling, bending or compressing the urinary catheter to ensure smooth drainage of urine. Pay attention to the color and volume of urine, and notify medical staff in time if there is any abnormality.

(2) Urethral opening care : Use normal saline to clean the urethral opening and catheter at least twice a day and keep them clean and dry. Male patients need to turn over the foreskin and clean the smegma.

(3) Appropriate fluid replacement : Encourage patients to drink plenty of water. For those with normal renal function, the daily water intake is about 2000-2500 ml to increase urine output, flush the catheter, and prevent urinary tract infection.

(4) Regular replacement : The urinary catheter and drainage bag need to be replaced regularly. In theory, the urinary catheter should be replaced regularly according to the instructions, and the drainage bag should be replaced once a week. If it is contaminated or damaged, it should be replaced immediately.

(5) Clamping training : For patients with indwelling urinary catheters, bladder function can be trained by intermittently clamping the catheter, laying the foundation for spontaneous urination after catheter removal.

(6) Psychological support : Indwelling urinary catheter may cause discomfort and anxiety. Patients should correctly understand the importance and necessity of indwelling urinary catheter.

The knowledge about how to prevent urinary tract infection with indwelling urinary catheters has been mentioned in the previous videos. Friends who want to know more can read it by themselves. I hope that patients with urinary catheters can reduce discomfort and complications during use and live in harmony with the catheters.