[PCGrad06]

I was wondering who inserts them for the most part LPN or RN? This is my biggest fear to overcome. Just wondering how to get over the first few times you do it? After that I am sure I'll be fine.

[chris_at_lucas_RN]

I was a little worried about it too--but once I had done a few it wasn't any big deal.

People, by the way, are a lot easier to cath than dummies. And women are more difficult than men--there's a lot more frilly stuff down there than I realized! I pay more attention to keeping my sterile field sterile and keeping the "target area" clean, than to other parts of the procedure. But it was those "other parts" that had me the most uneasy.

What helped me get over that feeling (it's not fear, but it's something that feels almost like it) was realizing that I was helping my patient feel more comfortable.

Now I actually like putting in Foley's.

[suzanne4]

Once you do a few you will wonder what you were ever concerned about.
Just remember to stop and take a deep breath before beginning.......

You'll do just fine, don't worry..................

[KaroSnowQueen]

Both RNs and LPNs put in Foleys. Putting them in men is easy. The weird part is finding out all women are NOT made exactly like the sketches in the anatomy books, with urethral openings in the same general area, but NOT where you might think they ought to be too.
It's not a big deal. Once you do the procedure a few times you will wonder what you were worried about.

[PCGrad06]

Thanks I feel better knowing I am not the only one who ever felt this way.

[Darlene K.]

Originally Posted by KaroSnowQueen

Both RNs and LPNs put in Foleys. Putting them in men is easy. The weird part is finding out all women are NOT made exactly like the sketches in the anatomy books, with urethral openings in the same general area, but NOT where you might think they ought to be too.
It's not a big deal. Once you do the procedure a few times you will wonder what you were worried about.

I agree. Once you do it a few times you will get the hang of it. Women can be a bit challenging. I do peds, on the females you look for the "star".

[unknown99]

Word of advice...
When you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. These women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. If you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!

[PCGrad06]

"Word of advice...
When you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. These women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. If you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!"


This blows my mind! Please tell me you are joking!

[zambezi]

Originally Posted by RNstudent,wife&mom

"Word of advice...
When you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. These women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. If you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!"


This blows my mind! Please tell me you are joking!

I have had to do it...if you miss and leave it in the wrong place for just a minute, you won't cath the wrong area again...you just have to start over with the sterile proceudre...If the patient is comfortable with it...I like to have and extra pair of hands available...It just makes it easier...I am not usually that lucky though

[Rhoresmith]

RNstudent,wife, mom I know how you feel I was a wreck about the caths and when I read about leaving one in and then putting one in the right place I too was freaking!!!
but according to my instructors this helps keep the field sterile and keeps you from making the same mistake again.. I have only placed one cath and it was on a man, but he had ripped one out along time ago and he meatus was way weird but I got it in there and then thought hey that was'nt as bad as I thought So you can do it and then you will wonder why you were so worried

Rhonda