Questions about foley removal

leslie :-D · Feb 25, 2006

Just loking for some info--
When I care for patients and am removing their Foley, I almost always try to drain out as much urine as possible before removal. ( the tubing generaly has the loop and I like to be sure the bladder is empty.) Is there a atandard for doing this or is it just something that I've thought was common sense?

wouldn't it make sense to drain the urine from the tubing rather than making a huge mess by leaking urine when removing the foley?

leslie

nanmad · Feb 25, 2006

YEs it makes sense to me, but the other day someone removed a foley and 2 hours later the bladder scan showed there was almost 800 ml of urine in the patients bladder. It struck me that perhaps not everyone drains before removal, and I was wondering if there is anything written about it. I'm just starting my search....

blynn · Feb 28, 2006

That patient's foley must've been plugged or kinked or something, there is no way they should have 800cc's after only two hours with the foley out.

I think your idea of being sure it's drained is a very good one.

DarlinNurseRed · Mar 21, 2006

That's just plain common sense,,,why make the patient hurry to the bathroom, or have additional residual urine present?

I drain it too, it is alot less trouble for nurse and patient.

DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN · Mar 21, 2006

How can you drain the bladder before removing the foley? It is continually draining the bladder. Are you discussing just draining the foley tubing? I always drain the catheter bag which then includes the tubing, then DC the foley.

thumperRN · Mar 21, 2006

That patient's foley must've been plugged or kinked or something, there is no way they should have 800cc's after only two hours with the foley out.
I think your idea of being sure it's drained is a very good one.

My thoughts too - must have been kinked, or was the patient on lasix? I will sometimes just manipulate the tubing a little to make sure it has all drained. Or sometimes if a patient is lying on their side, the balloon can be resting against the side of the bladder and by turning the pt to the other side you may notice some more urine flow. However, most of the time, I simply put a towel down, deflate the balloon, tell the pt to take a deep breath and 1, 2, 3 - all done!!