How far to insert a catheter??

[Class09]

I was reading in my book that you lubricate the catheter 1-2 inches for female and 6-7 inches for male. I also read that 2-3 inches before you see urine and once you see urine you advance 1-2 inches... My instructor was asking me how far would you insert the catheter i said 1-2 inches for a female until i see urine then i would advance 1-2 inches.. she said that i was wrong so i said 2-3 inches she said i was still wrong and that you would insert until you see urine... my question is why else would you lubricate that much of inches if you are not going to insert it that far?? why would the book be specific in the inches to lubricate it ? the urethra for a female is about 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 and she said that 1-2 inches is not even close to the bladder?? Would you insert the catheter 1-2 inches and then advance further once you see urine or is that wrong to say so?

[psu_213, BSN, RN]

Before I make my comments, I have to say that the textbook answer is that if you feel resistance, stop and pull out. However, with males, you may encounter some resistance, usually from the prostate, when inserting a Foley. Gently rotating/rolling the catheter is often all you need to pass it through the prostate. If you have lubed the entire catheter, it is nearly impossible to get a good enough grip to get the "ummph" on the catheter to pass it. For this reason, I lube up the first inch or so with a generous glob for males and I make sure not to get the lube on my gloves. Also, make sure the Betadine dries before inserting the cath--wet Betadine really burns!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

With some men I've even had to insert almost the entire dang thing before I saw urine. I might stop and try the balloon to see if I have resistance or if the pt hurts because, honestly, it's not a 12 inches to the bladder. But I just insert however much until I see urine, inflate balloon, then tug a little to get excess out/get balloon in the right spot.

And I've never had good experiences with women and inserting catheters. I have only ever actually seen the urethra once (something to get excited about!). Otherwise it's a shot in the dark on a hope and a prayer. And many of these old ladies having hip/back/knee issues doesn't help.

Did I mention I don't often cath women anyway? Lol

Ask the patient to cough and the meatus will "wink" at you....that is how I find many of them.

[Red Kryptonite]

Ask the patient to cough and the meatus will "wink" at you....that is how I find many of them.

I should not read this board while watching football and munching snacks, cuz I dang near choked on my veggies and dip! Thanks for the giggle though.

[Loo17]

I work with a nurse that puts the betadine in the lube syringe then squirts it into the meatus of the member. I personally just lube the tip of the cath.

[anh06005, MSN, APRN, NP]

Ask the patient to cough and the meatus will "wink" at you....that is how I find many of them.

I've heard the wink thing but don't think about it when I have to do one (not often now that I'm in home health). We usually get men with catheters before they get in with uro for turps. If I had issues finding their urethra I'd be in trouble.