Anyone know a trick, or two, to cathing pts with BPH

renerian, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

Try a coude cath.........curved at the end and slips in easy......I always have a hard time cathing men........

renerian

Azure_Skies · Oct 16, 2002

I've tried those too. I think my problem is that I don't like to push against any resistance. :eek:

I'm thinking more along the lines of positioning and such.

G

pebbles, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

I was told this by a urologist.

Always use the largest catheter you can find... a #16 Fr or bigger. I would have thought a smaller one would worm its way past the prostate easier, but it's the other way round. And TONS of lubricant!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

Yeah, I was going to say that too, tons of lubricant. You can try putting the cath in the fridge to make it a tad stiffer too.

The urologists also use xylocaine jelly to lube, wish we had that avaiable on the floors all the time, huh?

neneRN, BSN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

Coude caths are wonderful! Once you meet resistance, angle the member toward the pt's head. Also, squirting some lube (lidocaine jelly is even better) directly into the uretha pre cath makes it easier for both you and the pt.

Azure_Skies · Oct 16, 2002

Excellent advise from you all:D I'll get back with you and let you know how it goes for me.

BTW, how do I add a quote c all my replies?

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

Go to user cp, one of the little blue buttons on top right of screen. The look in either edit profile, or edit options, you will find the place to do it there.

Dazedgiggle · Oct 16, 2002

Ummm.....this may sound strange, but I'd say it works about 50% of the time. Try sitting the patient on the edge of the bed, or even stand him up if he can do it. A nurse once told me this helps the prostate 'drop' a bit and the cath goes in more easily. Like I said, sounds weird, but it's worked for me before when I'd tried everything else!! Good luck!

P_RN, ADN, RN · Oct 16, 2002

Tell them to cough just as you start to feel resistance. Lots of lubricant and a coude' cath work well.

CATHYW · Oct 17, 2002

originally posted by nenern
coude caths are wonderful! once you meet resistance, angle the member toward the pt's head. also, squirting some lube (lidocaine jelly is even better) directly into the uretha pre cath makes it easier for both you and the pt.

this method always worked for me! after i learned it, i never missed.

OzNurse69 · Oct 17, 2002

Originally posted by hoolahan
Yeah, I was going to say that too, tons of lubricant. You can try putting the cath in the fridge to make it a tad stiffer too.

The urologists also use xylocaine jelly to lube, wish we had that avaiable on the floors all the time, huh?

We use xylocaine jelly to cath all our pts, male and female. What's the rationale for not having it available, is it a cost-cutting thing? I would NEVER allow anyone to stick anything into my urethra without a local anaesthetic, that's just cruel!!