Catheter beyond comfort measure?

[cowboy_carl]

Just a stupid curiosity. My friend and I were arguing whether a catheter is classified as a comfort measure or not. My argument was that it could possibly play a role in prolonging life due to bypassing the micturition reflex.

[jodi_cmsrn]

We have used foley catheter's as a type of "comfort measure" for our end stage patient's who due to pain or shortness of breath can not tolerate being turned or assisted to the commode. The catheter prevents the pain, shortness of breath, or increased anxiety related to this whole process.

[peridotgirl]

Just a stupid curiosity. My friend and I were arguing whether a catheter is classified as a comfort measure or not. My argument was that it could possibly play a role in prolonging life due to bypassing the micturition reflex.

I dont see how a catheter would prolong life. I think that havng a pt on a FC can be a comfort measure and cannot. In a way, it's a comfort measure to nurses because we don't have to constatntly wipe the pts or change linens. It allows us for easier calculation of I & O, and allows use to collect a sterile urine specimen easier. This can be consdered a comfort measure to the pt because it reduces stress on the bladder and prevents skin break down. However, in contrast, a FC cannot be considered a comfort measure becuase no one likes a tube stuck in their bladder and nobody wants their familiy to see them on a FC. So the answer to this question is a yes and no, a FC can and cannot be considered a comfort measure. It all depends on how you look at the situation and the type of situation the pt is in. :an!::):):)

[Tait, MSN, RN]

Here's my elaboration:

I originally thought that inserting a FC would reduce stress on the patient's body because pressure is never really allowed to build in the bladder. So the micturition process (whether voluntary or involuntary) never has to occur because the urine drains as soon as it comes down from the kidneys and ureters.

looking back, I probably never should have argued something that was not based on any evidence.

This really doesn't clarify anything at all to me. What is your point?

[Virgo_RN, BSN, RN]

Here's my elaboration:

I originally thought that inserting a FC would reduce stress on the patient's body because pressure is never really allowed to build in the bladder. So the micturition process (whether voluntary or involuntary) never has to occur because the urine drains as soon as it comes down from the kidneys and ureters.

looking back, I probably never should have argued something that was not based on any evidence.

Yeah, that's a stretch.

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

In a person who is actively dying, they are probably not going to have a massive amount of urine output because their kidneys are shutting down. I don't see what harm a foley would do, though. I'd count it as comfort care, and hope you'd give me one if I'm actively dying!