urinary catheterization question

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after the urinary catheter has been inserted and is draining urine,

the maximum amount (according to agency policy) that can be

drained is 750 mL. If urine is still draining, then the catheter

would have to be plugged or clamped. For how long would it

have to be plugged until draining can be continued?

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Specializes in Home Care, Psych, Education, Case Management.

From what I was told by my instructor........it should be clamped for about an hour so the bladder won't spasm.

Hope this helps!

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

You need to write a letter to the Quality Improvement Committee about this policy because it should state when that catheter needs to be unclamped so urine drainage can resume. Someone slipped up when they wrote and approved that policy.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

The whole bladder spasm thing is open to question. Its been discussed here before as well. I personally have put Foleys in, and drained well over 1000 cc, with great relief to the patient! I've seen very large amounts drained many times, and have never seen a spasm in anyone, nor has anyone I know seen it. When someone is that full and in so much pain, clamping the tube doesn't seem the right thing to do, relieveing the pressure is what brings relief. I work in an ER, so if I'm putting in a Foley and getting that much out, it is usually for a complaint of retention. This is not to say spasms can't happen! I just don't think it is as common as the books would lead us to believe. Maybe putting a cath in on an inpatient without the acute pain and retetion, but getting a liter out is different, I don't know.

Seems like if your policy gives a volume limit, it should include the clamping time as well.

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