Head to Toe Assessment Help

[fwardlaw147]

Can someone help me chart an overhead irrigation system in my head to toe? Thanks.

[itsmejuli]

I'm sure the only time I've seen an "overhead irrigation system" was in a greenhouse where vegetables were grown in hanging pots.

Perhaps your patient is in a vegetative state?

[fwardlaw147]

I am referring to the picture below:

My textbook says the following:

"A continuous irrigation (ongoing instillation of solution) instills irrigating solution into a catheter by gravity over a period of days. Continuous irrigations keep a catheter patent after prostate or other urologic surgery in which blood clots and tissue debris collect within the bladder.

• Hang the sterile irrigating solution from an intravenous pole.
  
• Purge the air from the tubing.
  
• Connect the tubing to the catheter port for irrigation.
  
• Regulate the rate of infusion according to the medical order.
  
• Monitor the appearance of the urine and volume of urinary drainage."
  

I am just not sure what I am supposed to chart in my observation. For example, do I include the type of fluid running, how much is in the bag at the time of the head to toe assessment or type of tubing, etc...

I appreciate any help someone can provide.

Thank you.

[itsmejuli]

Ohh, now your question makes sense.

I would chart the location of the bag, the amount of fluid it contains, the condition of the tubing, verify and chart if the catheter is in place correctly, the volume of fluid in the cath bag and describe the fluid color, opacity etc.

[Boog'sCRRN246, RN]

"Can someone help me chart an overhead irrigation system in my head to toe? Thanks."

Just FYI...it's called CBI or continuous bladder irrigation

[Lorrie34]

I would also include the rate of the infusion.