Probably a dumb question: "I have to pee even though I have a catheter in!"

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

(I fixed it for you.)

Good question. I have patients sometimes get seriously agitated that they have to urinate, though I've flushed, played with the balloon, taken it out and reinserted. I'm not sure what to do then.

leslie :-D · Dec 21, 2008

i don't know why this happens, but whenever i need to cath someone, i always warn them, "it's going to feel like you have to pee".

i believe it's a neuromuscular response to foreign object placed in the urethra.

leslie

DebanamRN, MSN, RN · Dec 21, 2008

We get this all the time, especially with dementia patients. I think there is pressure against the urinary spinchter that they feel. I've also been in the position, that no matter what I do, I can't make them comfortable. I really think its a physological response to the cath vs. psychological response.

G'smommy · Dec 21, 2008

I had a cath when I went to the ER to rule out miscarriage and it did feel like I had to pee still. Obviously, I did not, but I think it is just the sensation of the catheter in the urethra. It was a miserable experience. If you have never had a cath you can't really appreciate it.

nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN · Dec 22, 2008

I had a cath after some dental surgery where we found out that if I'm given codeine, I stop breathing....ended up intubated, IV's everywhere, tubes everywhere.

Here's what the ICU nurse told me, and it's worked with my patients, at least sometimes. Your urethra will clamp down on the catheter. So, tell the pt to relax, just like they have to pee. They "declamp" the tube, and the sensation will let up.

Of course, with our little HOH dementia folks, you sometimes are in their room yelling, "PEE, MR SMITH." 10 times a shift....

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Dec 22, 2008

G said:
I had a cath when I went to the ER to rule out miscarriage and it did feel like I had to pee still. Obviously I did not, but I think it is just the sensation of the catheter in the urethra. It was a miserable experience. If you have never had a cath you can't really appreciate it.[/quote']
Now THAT'S a big 10-4! Everytime I've had to have a Foley, I've had such bad bladder spasms that I begged to have it taken out ASAP, because I constantly felt I needed to void. But think about it: a catheter is a foreign body, and your bladder doesn't want that in there! I suppose one gets used to it after a time, but I'm glad I never had to.

HolliT · Dec 22, 2008

VivaLasViejas said:
Now THAT'S a big 10-4! Everytime I've had to have a Foley, I've had such bad bladder spasms that I begged to have it taken out ASAP, because I constantly felt I needed to void. But think about it: a catheter is a foreign body, and your bladder doesn't want that in there! I suppose one gets used to it after a time, but I'm glad I never had to.

That's generally what it is....bladder spasms. I work for a Urology clinic and ambulatory surgery center. If our patients need to have a foley for any length of time and are having severe bladder spasms, our doc's usually prescribe an anticholinergic such as Detrol, Ditropan or Vesicare.

G'smommy · Dec 22, 2008

:) I also never realized how painful it could be to move a foley. I was sitting up in the bed holding the sucker for dear life b/c staff kept bumping into it. I wanted to crap myself each time I saw someone walk near the bed for fear they would bump or snag it. :)

lpnflorida · Dec 22, 2008

Our hospital finally enacted a policy which states Foley's are to be attached to the thighs by use of our new Foley stat locks. I was glad to see this instituted.

Prior I use to make a stabilizer for the Foley with use of a pressure bandage, two slits and trach tape which was applied to the thigh to tie the Foley up. Prevented alot of unnecessary pulling on the Foley.

G'smommy · Dec 22, 2008

lpnflorida said:
Our hospital finally enacted a policy which states Foley's are to be attached to the thighs by use of our new Foley stat locks. I was glad to see this instituted.
Prior I use to make a stabilizer for the Foley with use of a pressure bandage, two slits and trach tape which was applied to the thigh to tie the Foley up. Prevented alot of unnecessary pulling on the Foley.

I used the when I did bedside nursing as well. The hosp I had mine at did the big S (sucked). ? I was by myself possibly m/c, waited 10 hours, got a foley and u/s only to hear "we don't know, call your doctor". The lady from up front actually (i swear this is true) came and got my debit card for my copay out of my jeans pocket while I lay there with my ******* foley half naked. I've never felt so bad before.

back2thebooks · Dec 22, 2008

Have you ever had a catheter in --yourself? It feels, to me at least, like a constant urge to pee. I also noticed that when I was accidentally sitting on the tubing it became REALLY uncomfortable.