Can urinary catheters caused damage to the urethra?!
Question:
Can urinary catheters caused damage to the urethra?
Answers:
yes.
if the catheter is placed too roughly, it can tear the urethra and cause bleeding and also an opening for infection.
if the size of the catheter is too large, the urethra could possibly be ruptured. if too small, urine will leak around the catheter, and will need to be replaced with a larger size.
if the balloon that anchors the catheter in the bladder is not
fully into the bladder when inflated with saline or sterile water,
that can also rupture the urethra.
typically, when the catheter is advanced through the urethra and into the bladder, there is a flow of urine indicating
correct placement. the balloon is then inflated with the proper amount of fluid and pulled lightly to anchor it to the base of the bladder.
sterile technique is used when placing the catheter to help prevent an infection.
joe