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Discussion

FOLEY balloon RUPTURE!

A patient has hx of stroke, and he has an indwelling catheter for about 10 months now. He has a monthly foley cath change. For 4 days, pt has been draining hematuria. Today was his foley change, and when I was deflating the balloon, I realized I was aspirating water in my 10cc syringe that had lots of sediments in the urine... so I am suspecting that the foley balloon had ruptured inside?? When I removed the foley also, there was foul odor noted. Are these all signs and symptoms of UTI??? The pt had a MD appt 2 days ago, and waiting for urine and blood test results. I did call my clinical coordinator, and they will call the MD for updates/foundings.

Has any of you encountered any similar situations/assessments? Please advise, share experiences! I would really appreciate it:)

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    It doesn't sound like the balloon ruptured, if the foley remained in place and draining. I'm not sure if you're saying you were aspirating urine instead of saline or sterile water from the balloon? The foul odor could definitely be a s/sx of UTI, the sediment maybe, maybe not, it's not unusual for long term foley users to have sediment and does not necessarily indicate UTI.

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    If the balloon was ruptured you can determine that when the cath is out. I agree that it is unlikely it would have remained in place had the balloon ruptured.

    Urine with abnormal color, odor, or sediment is suspicious for infx (as would be hematuria) but not diagnostic. Sometimes people have lots of sediment with long term indwelling urinary catheters that have latex in them. Switching to a nonlatex catheter may help.

    Does he require a catheter to urinate?

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    HMarie and tewdles, thank you for the replies.

    hmm. all I did was connect the 10cc syringe to the port and aspirated the fluid to deflate the balloon.

    and the fluid that I aspirated had sediments in it. which completely took me by surprise, because I didn't expect it. I thought I was aspirating urine! It looked like it.

    and yes, the pt requires the foley to urinate. he has hx of stroke and is immobile.

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    Simply because he has had a stroke and is immobile does not necessarily mean that he requires an indwelling catheter. Would he be a candidate for a condom cath? This could potentially save him from the indignity of incontinence AND reduce his risk for trauma and infection associated with the indwelling catheter.

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