inserting a foley in arthritic elderly

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I am a 2nd quarter nursing student, I have a question about foley insertion. What is the correct position to insert a foley on an arthritic elderly female patient? Prone, side lying, lythogramy(?sp) or fowlers?

Thanks!

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Specializes in ER.

Prone or side lying would be the easiest.

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Specializes in home health, dialysis, others.

I have found side - lying to be the easiest. You will probabaly need a 2nd person to assist. Have a 2nd cath nearby! Good luck!

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Any position that works. I have had to help put a catheter in an extremely elderly female with severe kyphosis. Took 5 of us to get her in a position to expose the meatus and shed light on it. Also had to put one in a patient with a hip fracture prior to sending her out of ED - she was laying on her side and I basically went in from behind. The "Super Morbidly Obese" patients are also quite challenging. Sometimes you just need to get extra help and consider premedicating patient for comfort with positioning if possible.

Good luck

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Specializes in ICU/CCU/CVICU/ED/HS.

Probably the side lying position for severe arthritis in the hips(my experience), but if you have trouble visualizing the meatus, try this... Have them cough(watch out for "gaseous explosions") the meatus will often "wink" at you and you may actually get a little bit of urine to help your "aim."

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