Wondering if I will be able to insert a cathedar?

[studentdeb]

I was looking through my Fundamentals of Nursing last night and I came across the section that teachs you how to do cathedars (not sure if spelled correctly). As I was looking at this section, I thought to myself, "will I be able to do this"

Was it hard to perform cathedars or other tests on males or even females? How do you become comfortable so that you can do it properly?

[mark_LD_RN]

it is some times hard to cath a pt that has pushed for a while due to swelling.but with plenty practice you get good at it. I can insert caths blind floded now.:)

[sbic56, BSN, RN]

mark_LD_RN

Yup the swelling can be a problem, but I was referring to the baby's head being right there. BTW you do sound like you are good at your craft.

[jude11142]

I agree with what most have said,,,,,,,,jump at any opportunity to do one. In my clinical group, there were many that ignored the instructor when she asked, "who wants to do a foley" or whatever other procedure. I am glad that I was one of the few who jumped at the chance to do any. Believe me, it's nothing like when you do one in labs.....(we had these rubber replicas of both female and male), lol. As time goes by the more that you do them the easier it will be. Ofcourse, there are always those patients who are just difficult to do, but for the most part, practice, practice and more practice. As for being afraid/hesitant etc........hell, we all were at one time or another. It's not easy to do, especially with your instructor there, usually other students and then ofcourse most importantly there's your patient. But, you can do it...........first of all, always make sure that you have all your supplies(and an extra foley setup), go over the steps in your head, and then take a deeeeeeeeep breath and go for it.

Good Luck, you'll do fine,

JUDE

[Mkue]

originally posted by studentdeb

thanks everyone. i know i am jumping the gun. i need to just read the chapter that we have to read for monday and not worry about the rest.

studentdeb.. i did the very same thing.. looked through all the chapters, saw the caths and wondered, hoped i wouldn't hurt someone !!

i think we will be fine when the time comes !! i like to read way ahead too !

i liked mark's remark "down the hall and to the right"..lol i will remember that one;)

[emily_mom]

The hardest part is remembering your sterile area. It's easy to contaminate your field.

Men are tough if they have an enlarged prostate...sometimes you gotta work it. OUCH!!!

In school you do it with one of those dummies that have a 1 inch urethra....totally unrealistic. You learn it by doing it to a real person. They just want to teach you the process and sterility.

Good luck to you....

Kristy

[studentOH]

Deb, I was terrified of my CNA class lab!! We had a weekend in a nursing home, and I had five weeks to panic about it. Got there and had a blast, wish my finances would let me get some better experience with things before the nursing clinicals start. Have fun, take every chance to practice you can get, and don't contaminate your sterile field .

Brian

[Kirstie]

there really is nothing to it once you practice. females are not as hard as you think just look for the wink reflex. after a while you can do them blind ,which comes in handy for pt who just gave birth and are swollen

What it the "wink reflex"?

[Kirstie]

there really is nothing to it once you practice. females are not as hard as you think just look for the wink reflex. after a while you can do them blind ,which comes in handy for pt who just gave birth and are swollen

What is a "wink reflex"?

[maire, ASN, RN]

Kirstie --

The "wink reflex" shows up when you rub the betadine over the site. Keep a close eye on things as you swab with the betadine, and the urinary meatus will "wink" at you. Aim for that spot.

Charity