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Essay On Foley Catheter Care

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Foley Catheter Care, Adult

A Foley catheter is a soft, flexible tube that is placed into the bladder to drain urine. For as long as your catheter is in place, you will need to:

Care for the skin around your catheter.

Empty, change, and clean drainage bags.

Check on your catheter throughout the day to make sure it is working properly and the tubing is not twisted or curled.

Taking good care of your catheter will keep it working properly and prevent infections and other problems from developing.
HOW TO CARE FOR THE SKIN AROUND YOUR CATHETER

It is important to take good care of your skin when you have a catheter in place. To do this:

Clean the skin around the catheter at least once every day.

Shower every day. Do not …show more content…

A clean towel.

Adhesive tape or a leg strap.

Steps

Wash your hands with soap and water.

Wet a washcloth in warm water and mild soap.

Wipe the skin around where the catheter was put in with the washcloth. Wipe away from the catheter in small circles. Do not wipe toward the catheter because this can push bacteria into the urethra and cause infection.

Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Make sure to remove all traces of soap.

Attach the catheter to your leg with adhesive tape or a leg strap, making sure there is no tension on the catheter. If you are using adhesive tape, first remove any sticky residue left behind by the previous tape you used.

Place the drainage bag below the level of your bladder, but keep it off the floor.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR DRAINAGE BAGS

You should have received a large overnight drainage bag and a smaller leg bag that fits underneath clothing. You may wear the overnight bag at any time, but you should never wear the smaller leg bag at night. Empty your drainage bag when it is ⅓–½ full or at least 2–3 times a day. Change your drainage bag once a month or sooner if it starts to smell bad or look dirty.

How To Empty a Drainage Bag

Supplies

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