[nursebuxom]

here are my tricks - get the hips up up up! put an upside down bedpan or a couple of pillows under the hips, just like going to the gyn, and let those butt cheeks hang down.

hold the girl open with one hand, wipe front to back and look for the wink.

put a sterile q-tip in the vagina to mark it

if you still don't see it, put your longest finger into the vagina while holding the catheter tipalong the front wall of the vagina, it will probably find the meatus all by itself

and if you can't get it in, go UP in cather size, not down, and 18 is less flexible than a 16 and will go in easier - promise!

[babynurselsa]

Sometimes (IF the pt can tolerate it) Dropping the hob down. Kind of like trendelenberg helps also.
Our instructor in nursing school always said "aim for the rosebud". If you look quickly after you swipe with the cottonball down the center you will see that elusive "wink"
Good luck.
Practice, practice,practice. Do every one you can. This also increases your comfort level.

[earle58]

Originally Posted by nursebuxom

if you still don't see it, put your longest finger into the vagina while holding the catheter tipalong the front wall of the vagina, it will probably find the meatus all by itself

i would NOT advise inserting ones' finger into the vagina.
that is totally inappropriate.

leslie

[Boston-RN]

I agree with the above.....YIKES

I'm no expert but I haven't missed yet. I have the patient lie flat, bend their knees and then spread them apart, I put the flashlight on the bed in between aiming at my target and with my non-dominant hand spread the labia (may take a couple times) until I can visualize the meatus and then swab make sure I see the wink and in it goes...