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SELF CATHETERIZATION-FEMALES (CLEAN TECHNIQUE)
DEFINITION/EXPLANATION:
Intermittent catheterization is removing urine from the bladder by placing a tube in the bladder. This is done when a child is unable to empty her bladder on her own, when a child's bladder leaks urine, or when very high pressures have developed in the bladder. It is important to prevent a urinary tract infection. Extra urine in the bladder can grow germs. Chronic infections and high bladder pressures can over time damage the kidney. It is not difficult. You cannot hurt the bladder if you follow directions. Almost anyone can learn the technique, even a 5 or 6 year old child.
WHAT TERMS DO I NEED TO KNOW?
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 out- side.
Vagina: The canal leading from the uterus to the outside.
Void: To urinate, to empty the bladder.
FUNCTION OF THE URINARY TRACT:
Urine of waste fluid is made in the kidneys through a blood filtering process. Urine passes from the kidneys, down through the ureters and into the bladder. The bladder is an elastic muscle which acts like a storage tank. As the bladder fills, its walls relax to hold more urine and the sphincter muscle remains tight to prevent leakage of urine.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
*Assemble after washing hands
1. Lubricant - K-Y Jelly or Lubifax
- only if needed
2. Paper towel
3. Paper cup (if a specimen is needed)
4. Cotton balls or gauze squares
5. Soap and water (a mild soap, such as liquid ivory)
6. Catheter; size _______
PROCEDURE:
1. Before catheterizing yourself, try to urinate. Remember to wash your hands.
2. Now, separate your vaginal folds with one hand. Use downward strokes with the cotton balls to wash the area thoroughly.
3. Lubricate the first 3" of the catheter. Hold the catheter as if it were a pencil or a dart, about 1/2 inch from its tip. Keep the vaginal folds separated, slowly insert the lubricated catheter about 1 - 2-1/2" into your urethra. Press down on your abdominal muscles to empty your bladder.
4. Allow urine to flow until it stops.
5. Remove catheter slowly, allowing all urine to drain.
6. Rinse antiseptic off.
7. Note appearance and amount of urine. If something unusual happens, report to your doctor.
8. To self sterilize catheters, follow instructions given by your doctor or nurse.
You should catheterize __________ time(s) a day.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
1. Cloudy or dark urine
2. Blood in urine
3. Nausea or vomiting
4. Chills or fever
5. Flank pain
6. Lethargy
7. Painful voiding
8. More frequent urgency
9. Swelling or redness around
urethral opening.
10. Change in smell of urine.
11. Noticeable decrease in the
amount of urine.
12. Unusual discharge from
urethra or around catheter.
*If any of these occur, call the doctor.
SPECIAL HINTS FOR CHILDREN:
1. It is very important that you catheterize yourself on time, every time, and that you do not skip it. Evenly space cath times from morning to night.
2. Drink a lot of liquids to improve the flow of urine through the kidneys.
PEP II 2040 10/89
Revised 2/96
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