caths.question

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · May 19, 2004

I was a little worried about it too--but once I had done a few it wasn't any big deal.

People, by the way, are a lot easier to cath than dummies. And women are more difficult than men--there's a lot more frilly stuff down there than I realized! I pay more attention to keeping my sterile field sterile and keeping the "target area" clean, than to other parts of the procedure. But it was those "other parts" that had me the most uneasy.

What helped me get over that feeling (it's not fear, but it's something that feels almost like it) was realizing that I was helping my patient feel more comfortable.

Now I actually like putting in Foley's.

suzanne4, RN · May 19, 2004

Once you do a few you will wonder what you were ever concerned about.

Just remember to stop and take a deep breath before beginning.......

You'll do just fine, don't worry.................. :balloons:

KaroSnowQueen, RN · May 19, 2004

Both RNs and LPNs put in Foleys. Putting them in men is easy. The weird part is finding out all women are NOT made exactly like the sketches in the anatomy books, with urethral openings in the same general area, but NOT where you might think they ought to be too.

It's not a big deal. Once you do the procedure a few times you will wonder what you were worried about.

PCGrad06 · May 19, 2004

Thanks I feel better knowing I am not the only one who ever felt this way.

Darlene K. · May 19, 2004

Both RNs and LPNs put in Foleys. Putting them in men is easy. The weird part is finding out all women are NOT made exactly like the sketches in the anatomy books, with urethral openings in the same general area, but NOT where you might think they ought to be too.
It's not a big deal. Once you do the procedure a few times you will wonder what you were worried about.

I agree. Once you do it a few times you will get the hang of it. Women can be a bit challenging. I do peds, on the females you look for the "star".

unknown99, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

Word of advice...

When you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. These women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. If you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!

PCGrad06 · May 24, 2004

"word of advice...

when you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. these women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. if you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!"

this blows my mind! please tell me you are joking! :eek:

zambezi, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

"word of advice...
when you go in to cath a women, especially one that is older or has had numerous children, take an extra catheter in with you. these women tend to have "dimples" making it hard to find the urethra. if you have the extra cath, you will be able to leave in the one put in the wrong place long enough for you to get the extra cath in the right place!"
this blows my mind! please tell me you are joking!

i have had to do it...if you miss and leave it in the wrong place for just a minute, you won't cath the wrong area again...you just have to start over with the sterile proceudre...if the patient is comfortable with it...i like to have and extra pair of hands available...it just makes it easier...i am not usually that lucky though :rolleyes:

Rhoresmith · May 24, 2004

RNstudent,wife, mom I know how you feel I was a wreck about the caths and when I read about leaving one in and then putting one in the right place I too was freaking!!!

but according to my instructors this helps keep the field sterile and keeps you from making the same mistake again.. I have only placed one cath and it was on a man, but he had ripped one out along time ago and he meatus was way weird but I got it in there and then thought hey that was'nt as bad as I thought So you can do it and then you will wonder why you were so worried

:coollook: Rhonda

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · May 24, 2004

AHHHH The ultiminate challange the foley cath, I have put in hundreds . This is one thing you just get used to doing. The best advise about putting in a foley you have already received if you get it in the wrong hole leave it and go a little higher with a new cath. Lord have mercy, I have had patients rip their foleys out and hand them to me or some have even hit me with them after taking it upon their selves to remove. I have started many foley's coming in from the backside ,even had to get in the bed with the patient due to so many contractures. It all comes with time and experience, just look for the wink...

I was wondering who inserts them for the most part LPN or RN? This is my biggest fear to overcome. Just wondering how to get over the first few times you do it? After that I am sure I'll be fine. :imbar

Dixiedi · May 24, 2004

I was wondering who inserts them for the most part LPN or RN? This is my biggest fear to overcome. Just wondering how to get over the first few times you do it? After that I am sure I'll be fine. :imbar

Have to tell you this story! I had been a nurse for about 2 years. Had put in countless caths by then and felt very confident. I usually worked on the eye/ears/nose/throat unit but this day I had been pulled over to a medical unit.

I had an admission that came in via the ER. She was a young newly married girl. Not a problem! Finally an "easy" cath.

I gatherd my equipment and headed on in there. She was non-responsive and had a terribly high fever (don't remember exactly) - she was also my first Toxic Shock pt. Hell, TS was "brand new!" at hte time.

Anyway, after gathering my equpment, prepping her and picked up the cath to insert and just stood there and stared. I had never seen one that looked like the text book before! I didn't know where to go with the cath! Because she was non-resposive, I had asked the NA to help me in case I had trouble managing her legs. It's a darn good thing she was there with me because it was her words "look for the rose bud" that brought me out of it so I could hit the hole!

We laughed about that for years. At that time I was the one many other nurses called for help with the older ladies when they couldn't find it. I got one of the "kids" and I couldn't find it!

I remember standing there still today. Now, looking back, hell, then looking back, it was so funny!

Don't get me wrong, pt care is not funny, but funny things do happen while caring for your patients.