Urinario Catéter Care Instrucciones

What is a Foley Catéter?

A Foley catéter is a thin, flexible tube inserted through your uretra into your vejiga to continuously drain orina. It consists of:

• Catéter tube: Soft, flexible tube that stays in your vejiga
• Balloon: Small balloon at the tip inflated inside vejiga to hold catéter in place
• External connector: Attaches to drenaje bag
• Drainage bag: Collects orina

Why You Have a Catéter

Your doctor placed the catéter for one of these reasons:

• Después próstata or vejiga cirugía - allows healing
• Urinario retention - unable to urinate on your own
• Monitoring orina output
• Vejiga rest and decompression
• Protecting surgical site

Duration: Your doctor will tell you how long the catéter needs to stay in (typically 3-14 days after cirugía).

Twice Daily Cleaning (Morning & Evening)

Importante Don'ts:

• ❌ Don't use harsh soaps or chemicals
• ❌ Don't apply powders, lotions, or creams near catéter
• ❌ Don't pull or tug on catéter
• ❌ Don't try to push catéter further in
• ❌ Don't disconnect catéter from drenaje bag yourself

Crítico Rules for Drainage Bag

When to Empty the Bag

• Empty when 1/2 to 2/3 full
• At least every 8 hours even if not full
• Antes bed if using leg bag during day
• Antes long trips or activities

How to Empty the Drainage Bag

1. Wash hands thoroughly
2. Prepare toilet or measuring container
3. Open drenaje spout at bottom of bag
4. Do NOT let spout touch toilet or container
5. Let orina drain completely
6. Clean spout with alcohol wipe
7. Close spout securely
8. Wash hands again

Types of Drainage Bags

Tip: Many patients use leg bag during day and switch to overnight bag when going to bed.

Drink 8-10 glasses of water daily while catéter is in place.

Why Hydration Matters:

• Flushes bacteria - reduces infección risk
• Prevents blockage - keeps orina flowing
• Dilutes orina - less irritation to vejiga
• Reduces clot formation - especially after cirugía
• Speeds healing - well-hydrated tissues heal faster

Tip: Aim for light yellow or clear orina. Dark orina means you need more fluids.

What to Drink:

• ✅ Water (best choice)
• ✅ Diluted juices
• ✅ Herbal teas
• ⚠️ Limit caffeine (coffee, tea, soda) - can irritate vejiga
• ⚠️ Limit alcohol - dehydrating and may interact with medications

When and Where

Your catéter will be removed in our office at your scheduled appointment. The timing depends on your procedimiento:

• Después próstata cirugía: Typically 5-10 days
• Después vejiga cirugía: Varies by procedimiento
• For retention: When able to void on your own

Qué Esperar Durante Removal

1. Arrive with comfortably full vejiga if possible
2. Brief procedimiento (less than 5 minutes)
3. Balloon deflated with syringe
4. Catéter gently pulled out
5. Brief discomfort as it exits - over in seconds
6. You'll urinate shortly after to test vejiga function

Después Catéter Removal

• First few urinations: Burning or stinging is normal
• Frequency: Need to urinate more often initially
• Urgency: Sudden strong urges are common
• Small amounts of blood: Normal for 24 hours
• Control: May have some leakage initially - usually improves quickly

Recovery timeline: Vejiga control and normal voiding pattern typically return within days to weeks, depending on your procedimiento.

Provided by Our Office or DME Company:

• Replacement drenaje bags (leg bag and overnight bag)
• Catéter securing device or leg straps
• Instruction sheet

Purchase at Pharmacy:

• Alcohol wipes or prep pads
• Mild unscented soap
• Medical tape (if needed for securing)
• Disposable gloves (optional but helpful)
• Antibacterial hand soap

Have at Home:

• Clean towels and washcloths
• Container for measuring orina output (if requested)
• Plastic bag for disposing of used supplies

Problem: Orina Not Draining

Possible causes and solutions:

• Kinked tubing: Check entire length for kinks or twists - straighten carefully
• Bag too high: Lower bag below vejiga level
• Clogged catéter: May see debris or blood clots - call office
• Vejiga spasm: May temporarily pinch catéter - usually resolves

If no orina for 2+ hours: Call 678-344-8900 immediately

Problem: Orina Leaking Around Catéter

Common causes:

• Vejiga spasms: Most common - vejiga contracting around catéter
• Catéter blocked: Check for kinks or clogs
• Bag too full: Empty more frequently
• Catéter size: May need different size (call office)

Management:

• Empty bag
• Check for kinks
• If prescribed, take vejiga spasm medication
• Small amounts of leakage are often normal
• Call if severe or persistent

Problem: Painful Vejiga Spasms

What they feel like: Cramping, pressure, or squeezing sensation in vejiga/lower abdomen

Why they happen: Vejiga muscle contracting around catéter (trying to expel it)

Management:

• Take prescribed antispasmodic medication (if given)
• Apply heating pad to lower abdomen
• Try to relax and breathe deeply
• Usually improve after first few days
• Call if severe or not controlled by medication

Problem: Strong Odor

Normal causes:

• Concentrated orina (drink more water)
• Certain foods (asparagus, coffee)
• Some medications or vitamins

Concerning if combined with:

• Fever
• Cloudy/murky orina
• Pelvic or back pain
• Feeling generally unwell

Foul odor + fever = possible infección → Llame inmediatamente

Securing the Catéter

• Use leg strap or medical tape to secure catéter to inner thigh
• Leave small loop of slack - don't pull tight
• Prevents pulling and discomfort
• Reduces risk of catéter displacement
• Change securing site daily to prevent skin irritation

Clothing Choices

• Wear loose-fitting pants or skirts
• Elastic waist is comfortable
• Longer shirts can help conceal leg bag
• Avoid tight jeans or belts

Sleeping with Catéter

• Switch to large overnight bag before bed
• Hang bag on bed frame below mattress level
• Sleep on back or side (not stomach)
• Keep tubing straight - avoid kinks
• Place towel under you if concerned about leaks

Going Out

• Use leg bag for mobility
• Empty before leaving home
• Know where restrooms are (for emptying bag)
• Carry alcohol wipes
• Wear longer shirt or jacket

Follow these steps to minimize infección risk:

🚨 Call 678-344-8900 Immediately

If your catéter comes out or is pulled out, call our office right away.

What to Do:

1. Don't panic - this can be managed
2. Don't try to reinsert it
3. Note how much balloon water came out (if visible)
4. Try to urinate if you feel the urge
5. Llame inmediatamente: 678-344-8900
6. Come to office if instructed (we may need to replace catéter)

Después hours: Go to Emergency Room if you cannot reach us and cannot urinate or are in severe pain.

Continue All Prescribed Medications Including:

• Antibiotics: If prescribed, take complete course
• Pain medication: As needed for discomfort
• Vejiga antispasmodics: If prescribed (helps with spasms)
• Regular medications: Continue all unless told otherwise

Avoid:

• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, Advil, Aleve) if post-cirugía - increases bleeding
• New supplements without checking with doctor
• Alcohol if on pain medications

Advanced Urology: 678-344-8900

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Don't hesitate to call if you have:

• Preguntas about catéter care
• Concerns about síntomas
• Problems with drenaje bag
• Need for supplies
• Preguntas about activity restrictions

Better to call with questions than wait and worry. Our nurses are experienced with catéter care and happy to help.