How to flush a foley catheter?

If you’ve ever had the pleasure of having a foley catheter inserted, then you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Not only do you have to deal with the constant feeling of needing to pee, but you also have to worry about keeping the area clean and free from infection. One of the most important things you need to do when caring for your foley catheter is flushing it regularly. In this article, we’ll walk through everything you need to know about flushing your foley catheter.

What is a Foley Catheter?

Before we dive into how to flush a foley catheter, let’s briefly discuss what exactly a foley catheter is. A foley catheter is a type of urinary catheter that has an inflatable balloon at one end. This balloon helps keep the catheter in place inside your bladder so that urine can flow out through the other end.

Why Would You Need a Foley Catheter?

There are many reasons why someone might need a foley catheter. Some common reasons include:

  • Surgery that affects bladder function
  • Neurological conditions such as spinal cord injuries or multiple sclerosis
  • Prostate problems
  • Bladder cancer treatment
  • Severe urinary incontinence

Flushing Your Foley Catheters: Step-by-Step Guide

Now that we’ve covered what exactly a foley catheterris and why someone would need one, let’s get into how exactly you should go about flushing it.

Materials Needed

Before starting on anything else, gather up all your supplies:

  1. Sterile saline solution (usually comes pre-packaged)
  2. Gloves
  3. Clean washcloth
  4. Paper towels

Note: For any item marked with ”, make sure they are sterile and not likely harboring infections before use.

Step 1: Prepare Yourself and Your Catheter

First, you need to gather all of your supplies together in a clean and sterile environment. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting on gloves then lay out the items you’ll need for cleaning, including clean washcloth, paper towels (you guessed it!), and a container to hold everything that will be used.

Step 2: Clean the Catheter Exit Site

Use warm water with mild soap (or sterile saline solution) to clean around the area where the catheter exits my body (use very gentle circular motion). Rinse well so there’s no leftover soap residues. Dry as completely possible using one of those paper towels I warned about!

Step 3: Connect Syringe to Saline Solution

Attach a sterile syringe that is holding at least 15 ml or more of saline solution.

Step 4: Insert Tip into Valve & Push Plunger Down Slowly

Insert the tip of the syringe into one side of valve located on foley catheter tube end (don’t touch anything else!). Gently push down on plunger until roughly half=way done. Repeat two more times until approximately thirty-milliliters enters bladder through pipe without resistance felt from tubing system attaching within hours earlier step-by-step instruction starting above “Connect Your Foley”.

Final Thought

Flushing your foley catheter may seem like an uncomfortable or annoying task, but it goes a long way towards keeping you healthy and avoiding any infections or complications associated with urinary tract health. By following these simple steps regularly, you’ll ensure optimal functioning for as long as needed while making sure everything is hygienic throughout every stage even when dealing with five-minute refresher course sessions involving flushing technique etiquette favored by seasoned medical professionals everywhere!

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