Pediatrics Common Questions, Quick Answers

Urinary Catheter

Donna D'Alessandro, M.D.
Susan Kinzer, M.P.H.
Peer Review Status: Internally Reviewed
Creation Date: October 2002
Last Revision Date: October 2002

• What is a urinary catheter?
• Why does my child need this procedure?
• What are the benefits?
• What are the risks?
• Is it painful?
• How do we prepare for this procedure?
• How is it done?
• What care will my child need after the procedure?
• When should I call the doctor?

What is a urinary catheter?

• Urinary catheters are also called Foley catheters.
• They are flexible tubes placed in the bladder to drain urine.
• The catheter is placed through the urethra (the tube connecting the bladder to the outside of the body) and into the bladder.
• A bag is placed on the outside end of the catheter to catch the urine.

Why does my child need this procedure?

• It is usually used to measure how much urine your child is making.
• It is usually done during or after a surgery.
• It can also be used if your child is having problems urinating.

What are the benefits?

• It gives the doctor important information about your childís kidneys.
• It can help your doctor with treatment choices.
• It relieves the discomfort of not urinating.
• It can decrease the risk of an infection.

What are the risks?

• Infections of the bladder, kidneys, or blood
• Blood in urine
• Damage to the skin around the catheter
• Fever (if he has an infection)

Is it painful?

• It can be uncomfortable when the urinary catheter is being placed in the bladder.
• Once it is in place, it should not be painful.
• Call your doctor if your child feels any pain.

How do we prepare for this procedure?

• Ask your doctor how the procedure is done.
• Prepare your child. Talk to him about what is going to happen.

How is it done?

• Your child will lie down on his back.
• The skin around the urethra is cleaned. The cleaner may feel cold.
• The catheter is lubricated. A safe jelly-like substance is rubbed on the catheter to make it easier to put in.
• It is gently placed up through the urethra. This is through the hole in the penis for boys, and through the hole near the vagina for girls.
• When urine begins to flow out, the catheter is where it should be.
• A bag is placed on the outside end of the catheter to catch the urine.
• The bag will be kept on the side of the bed. The bag can also be taped to his leg.

What care will my child need after the procedure?

• Your child needs to be careful not to play with it or pull it out.
• Keep the bag below his bladder so that urine doesnít flow back into his body.
• Keep the skin around the urinary catheter clean. Clean it with a warm soapy wash cloth.
• Baths, showers, and swimming must be avoided. Instead, give your child sponge baths.
• Your doctor will tell you when to empty the bag.

When should I call the doctor?

• Call your doctor if your child has a fever.
• Call your doctor if his urine has a strong smell.
• Call your doctor if his urine looks cloudy or thick.
• Call your doctor if his skin by the catheter swells.
• Call your doctor if there is bleeding around the catheter.
• Call your doctor if it is leaking a lot of urine around the catheter.
• Call your doctor if you have any questions about your childís condition.

Quick Answers

• A urinary catheter is also called a Foley catheter.
• It is usually used to measure how much urine your child is making.
• It gives the doctor important information about your childís kidneys.
• Your child could feel uncomfortable when it is being placed.
• Once it is in place, he should not feel any pain.
• Keep the skin around the catheter clean.
• Call your doctor if you have any questions about your childís condition.

References

• Cincinnati Childrenís Hospital Medical Center. Home Care: Suprapubic Catheter Care. 1998 August. (cited 2002 August 28). URL: http://www.cincinnatichildrens.org/Health_Topics/Your_Childs_Health/Kidney_and_Bladder/Home_Care/suprapubic.htm
• Discoveryhealth.com. Urinary Catheters. 2001. (cited 2002 August 28). URL: http://health.discovery.com/diseasesandcond/encyclopedia/2494.html
• MEDLINEplus. Urinary catheters. 2002 July 1. (cited 2002 August 28). URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003981.htm
• What You Need To Know About. Nursing. Ten Tips for Foley Catheter Use & Care. 2002. (cited 2002 August 28). URL: http://nursing.about.com/library/weekly/aa062001a.htm

   

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