Foleys Catheter in FEMALES : How to?

The Foley catheter procedure is used to drain urine from the bladder. We'll demonstrate the insertion first with the female mannequin. Use a fresh sterile cotton wipe on each side and another down the middle. One or two inches of the sterile catheter is lubricated with water-soluble gel. Gently spread the labia majora and minora and insert the lubricated end into the urethral meatus. It's directly below the clitoris. Slowly advance the catheter, never forcing, and we should see a return of urine to show that it is properly placed. Now, inflate the balloon.

The port on the catheter will tell you how much is required. Gently pull back on the catheter until you feel resistance. We attach the end of the catheter to the drainage system. Make sure the bag is below the level of the patient's bladder. And anchor the catheter to the patient's inner thigh with tape, allowing a bit of slack. With the male patient, we cleanse the glands and hold the penis perpendicular to the body. We lubricate five to seven inches of catheter to cover the length of the male urethra.

Retract the urethral meatus and begin the insertion. It is normal to meet resistance at the prostatic sphincter. Hold the catheter firmly in place, but never forcing until the sphincter relaxes and the catheter advances. And again, the return of urine into the drainage system tells us the catheter is in place.