Catheter care and infection control

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Catheter Care and Infection Control
   1. Meatal Cleansing
   2. Managing drainage systems
   3. Catheter Valves
   4. Taking catheter specimens of urine
   5. Catheter Care Bundles
   6. Troubleshooting catheter problems
   7. Bypassing
   8. Encrustation and blockage
3. Summary
4. References

Bypassing

Bypassing may be caused by inflammation around the catheter or if the catheter is blocked and prevented from draining - urine will find the easiest way out!

Task 9

1

Can you identify the potential causes of catheter blockage? Enter your answer in the box below and then select Check answer. The following issues can be causes of catheter blockage: - urine bag above the level of the bladder preventing drainage - urine bag too low (>30cm below bladder) which can create a negative pressure and "suck" bladder tissue into the eyelets of the catheter - constipation and faecal impaction - kinked catheter or drainage tubing - encrustation

If blockage is suspected to be the cause of bypassing the potential causes of blockage should be identified and eliminated.

If the catheter is not blocked and is draining, any bypassing may be the result of inflammation within the urethra.

Task 10

2

If inflammation is suspected to be the cause of bypassing what action should the nurse take? Choose from the options below and then select Check answer. a) Change the catheter for a larger size lumen to accommodate a larger flow of urine b) Change the catheter for a smaller size to reduce the pressure on the urethra The correct answer is option b. Small is beautiful in catheter term; sizing down will reduce the inflammation within the urethra caused by the presence of the catheter.