catheter and BP??? what?

djsrn · Oct 27, 2004

This pt hadn't been voiding, bladder scanned 800ccs, doc ordered foley. simple enough. but then the nurse told her orientee to go and clamp the foley cuz if it drains too fast the pt could go into shock. Now, mind you i don't have anyone here to discuss it with, and i am not going to argue with her. she's been a nurse forever and i don't want her to think i'm being difficult. but isn't the only thing that could really happen is the pt would get bladder spasms? Urine already in the bladder has nothing to do with BP, right? (I feel like I am having a debate with myself!!)

NurseforPreggers · Oct 27, 2004

I'm a new nurse too .. but I think you are right

NurseforPreggers · Oct 27, 2004

I'm a new nurse too .. but I think you are right

crazyearrings · Oct 27, 2004

Actually, I heard that last year from a neurosurgeon - told me any more than a liter at one time could cause the patient to go into cardiogenic shock. Had never heard it before and I had been a nurse over 12 years. Of course, on peds, we don't often have patients with a liter of fluid in their bladder. I wonder if there is a weight-based maximum for foley drainage. And how is it different when pts void over a liter at a time? Do you tell them to stop? So I still have questions. Anyone with wisdom to share?

crazyearrings · Oct 27, 2004

Actually, I heard that last year from a neurosurgeon - told me any more than a liter at one time could cause the patient to go into cardiogenic shock. Had never heard it before and I had been a nurse over 12 years. Of course, on peds, we don't often have patients with a liter of fluid in their bladder. I wonder if there is a weight-based maximum for foley drainage. And how is it different when pts void over a liter at a time? Do you tell them to stop? So I still have questions. Anyone with wisdom to share?

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 27, 2004

I've heard this too, but it makes no sense. The fluid isn't intravascular or even interstitial - as far as the body is concerned the fluid is already gone.

I don't know about the cardiogenic thing - maybe some neuro thing I don't get 'cause I hate neuro. But I've definitely drained 800 cc from a postop distended bladder without a problem.

apaisRN, RN, CRNA · Oct 27, 2004

I've heard this too, but it makes no sense. The fluid isn't intravascular or even interstitial - as far as the body is concerned the fluid is already gone.

I don't know about the cardiogenic thing - maybe some neuro thing I don't get 'cause I hate neuro. But I've definitely drained 800 cc from a postop distended bladder without a problem.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2004

Old nurses tale. The speed of the bladder emptying has nothing to do with putting a patient in shock. A catheter drains no faster than a person urinates and we don't have to control the rate of our stream do we? You're correct BP and urine in the bladder don't have a connection, except that if a person is uncomfortable and anxious about a full bladder then it might be high and lower as he/she's more comfortable.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 27, 2004

Old nurses tale. The speed of the bladder emptying has nothing to do with putting a patient in shock. A catheter drains no faster than a person urinates and we don't have to control the rate of our stream do we? You're correct BP and urine in the bladder don't have a connection, except that if a person is uncomfortable and anxious about a full bladder then it might be high and lower as he/she's more comfortable.

Town & Country · Oct 27, 2004

I thought the stopping point was 2000 cc's.

Town & Country · Oct 27, 2004

I thought the stopping point was 2000 cc's.