flushing after urinary catheterization

Nurses General Nursing

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Can anyone tell me the procedure for flushing out the urinary track after catheterization?

Yea It probably is a patient with a neobladder. They have to be flushed or they will clog up with mucus.

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Specializes in Pediatric Cardiology.
I remember having a patient years ago that had bladder ca had it removed, then they took a part of his bowel to reconstruct a bladder. It worked well except for the fact that it secreted mucus just like bowel should. So it routinely got clogged and needed flushing to the works patent. Thats the only reason I remember ever routinely flushing someone like that.[/quote']

Yup, I've seen that and needed to flush a urostomy. I would never do it by myself if I've had no education on it though.

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I'm not understanding why one would flush after each straight cath. What's the rationale? Bladder irrigation?

I get flushing indwelling catheters on a regular basis. It maintains patency. But with straight caths?

yeah, i'm thinking it's bladder irrigation, in hopes of flushing out any sediment/slough/yucky stuff. :)

leslie

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I have flushed suprapubic caths with only one lumen before. I would NOT use 500ml though!

I take a 60ml syringe, and use 30 or 60 depending on the pt. Use sterile water, connect the h2o filled syringe to the lumen, throw a towel on top (just in case) and eject the water, then pull back the same amount, usually the force drains all of the sediment and mucous. I would imagine it be similar.

Is there no one you can ask? A policy?

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Well, on Sunday when I thought I was going to do the flushing, another nurse came on duty and said she wanted that side of the hall because that's what she usually has. She was very familiar with the patient in question so I asked her about the flushing and she explained it all so that I felt comfortable with it when I did it today.

The kit came with a 500 cc container that held two 250cc bottles of NS. I think the syringe held about 50cc so it took about 5-6 times of filling it up.

As some of you have asked, this procedure is done to help prevent infection since she's getting straight cathed 4 time/day.

Thank you ALL for your interest and input! Your comments all lifted my confidence a bit, and it felt great to be so supported by you all. I'm thankful this board exists!

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Glad you got it all figured out! :)

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