Originally Posted by neurogeek
You find yourself using the phrase, "You have a tube in your bladder" over 100 times in a shift in respones to your patients frantic "I NEED TO PEE!" diatribe.
There is a simple remedy to this problem - refill the bladder with about 50 mls - either use warm saline or simply clamp the tubing for an hour or so.
The problem is caused by irritation of the catheter tip against the bladder wall and re-inflating the bladder moves the wall away from the bladder tip. You only occasionally need to re-inflate a second time. Warn the patient that this will take time to work. Even if you use warm saline - give it a few minutes for the spasms to settle before releasing the catheter and letting it drain.
Once you tried this once or twice (remember that it does take that little bit of time - especially if you simply clamp the catheter) but it DOES work and works well
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