balloon testing prior to insertion of foley

[URO-RN]

I am looking for research/studies regarding inflation of balloons prior to insertion. we are currently revising our policy. if anyone knows about studies on whether to test the balloon or not please let me know.

thanks.

[luvmuzr]

wondering if you ever found any documentation for not testing the catheter balloon?

[SkimamaRN]

This is a great topic. I will be using this habit vs. EBP testing of the foley catheter balloon for my research project!

[myk_RN]

We were taught in nursing school to inflate to check for leaks. Not to check for faulty valve.Anyways, I just had a patient a couple of weeks ago that we were unable to deflate the Foley balloon. Urologist was saying that it was the normal saline that was used to inflate the balloon. He suspected that it somehow precipitated and clogged the lumen for the balloon. Now I'm thinking it might have been a faulty valve. Funny thing is, it was the same Urologist that inserted the same Foley because the patient had history of BPH.

[nola1202]

I've always had the same concerns voiced here. Increased discomfort on insertion, if pre-testing the balloon. If I'm ever the pt., I'll make sure we just take the risk and not test the balloon prior to insertion. I don't like pain.