Assisting a Client with Urination

Assisting the Client with Elimination

Urinary Elimination

• The urinary system is responsible for removing waste products and extra fluid from the body.

• If the bladder is not emptied, urine will build up back-pressure to the kidneys and cause damage to the kidney tissue.

• Elimination of waste in the form of urine is a basic need.

• Voluntary control is affected by illness, drugs, decreased mental awareness, and anxiety – patients frequently need help in meeting elimination needs.

• Patients may be ill at ease and embarrassed to ask for help with elimination needs. – nurse must show that this is a normal part of nursing care.

• Nurse’s Role:

1. know how to position patient on bedpan/place urinal

2. aseptically insert urinary catheters

3. perform irrigation procedures

4. obtain specimens

5. prevent nosocomial infections

6. monitor I&O)

7. teach patient/family care of catheters

Urinary Catheterization

Purposes

• to obtain sterile urine specimen

• to relieve distended bladder when patient is unable to void

• to measure the amount of residual urine in the bladder

• to provide for drainage, irrigation or instillation of medication

• to prepare a patient for a surgical procedure or OB delivery

• to assist the incontinent patient in a bladder-training program

• to keep the genitalia clean after OB surgical procedures

• not used to just keep incontinent patients dry

Types of Urinary Catheters

• Straight catheter – (Robinson, red rubber) chiefly used to obtain a specimen or to relieve retention.

• Coude – variation of Robinson catheter. Has a curved and rounded tip that is easier to insert into the male urethra when the prostate is enlarged.

• Retention catheter – (Foley) type that remains in the bladder for an extended period. Has two channels, one to drain urine and one for inflation of the balloon that holds...