Catheters Commonly Used After Surgery
Acatheteris a general term for a tube that is inserted into the body.
A urinary catheter is a tube that is inserted into the bladder to drain urine.
To prevent infections, catheters are used only when necessary.
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In hospitalized patients, intensive care patients typically have a catheter in place for longer than a day.
Urinary retentionis an issue where the bladder fails to empty completely.
Risks of a Urinary Catheter
The primary risk of short-term catheterization is a urinary tract infection.
In addition, the urethra (the tube that carries urine out of the bladder) can become irritated.
The skin surrounding the insertion site might also be injured and should be inspected regularly for signs of breakdown.
Most catheters are inserted into the urethra, then gently threaded through the urethra into the bladder.
Removal of a Urinary Catheter
A catheter is typically very easy to remove.
The process is typically painless unless there is irritation present in the urinary tract.
If the process is painful, a topical medication can be used to numb the area.
Be sure to rinse the soap off completely.
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