Urethral Catheterisation (Male)

This skill involves you inserting a catheter into a male patients bladder. It is performed for
many reasons e.g. occasionally patients with urinary problems need them long term, acute
urinary retention or if the patient is acutely unwell to help closely measure their input and output.

Subject steps

1. A chaperone is required for this procedure.

Begin by introducing yourself to the patient and clarify his identity. Explaining what you
are going to do and obtain his consent.

2. Prepare your equipment for this procedure. This is:

o a catheterisation pack

o a 12 14 Fr male Foley catheter

o a catheter bag

o antiseptic solution

o sterile gloves

o lignocaine gel

o a 10ml sterile water -filled syringe

3. Position the patient on his back with legs slightly apart, and lying as flat as possible.

4. Using an aseptic technique open the catheter pack and pour antiseptic solution into the
receiver. Open the rest of your equipment onto the sterile field.

o Pour antiseptic solution into the receiver

Urinary system 2017 Dr Tee

 5. Wash and dry your hands, then put on the sterile gloves.

6. Drape the patient and place a collecting vessel between the patients legs.

o Drape the patient and place a collecting vessel

7. Hold the penis with a sterile swab and clean the penis thoroughly. Remember to retract
the foreskin and clean around the urethral meatus.

o Clean the penis thoroughly

8. Apply LUBRICANT ( KY GEL) on the catheter.

9. Hold the penis vertically with one hand and with the other hold the catheter by its sleeve.
Advance the catheter tip from its sleeve and insert into the urethra.

Urinary system 2017 Dr Tee

 o Advance the catheter tip from its sleeve

10. Progressively insert the catheter, ensuring that neither your hand nor the sleeve touch the
penis until the end arm reaches the meatus. At this point urine should start to flow into
the collecting vessel.

o Urine should start to flow into the collecting vessel

11. Inflate the balloon using 10ml of sterile water, ensuring that it does not cause any pain.
NB the volume used to fill the balloon may vary depending upon the size of the catheter
used, check the packaging for the exact volume to use.

o Inflate the balloon using 10ml of saline

12. Attach the catheter bag.

13. Gently pull on the catheter until resistance is felt. This is when the balloon will be resting
on the urethral opening of the bladder. Then reposition the foreskin.

Urinary system 2017 Dr Tee

 o Gently pull on the catheter until resistance is felt

14. Dispose of your gloves and equipment in the clinical waste bin. Wash your hands.

15. Record the volume of urine collected in the catheter bag and ensure that the patient is
comfortable and covered. Remember to complete the sticker on the outside of the catheter
pack and put it into the patients notes.

Female Catheterisation
Subject steps

1. A chaperone is required for this procedure.

Begin by introducing yourself to the patient and clarify her identity. Explain what you
would like to do and obtain her consent.

2. Prepare your equipment for this procedure. This is:

o a catheterisation pack

o a 12 14 Fr female Foley catheter

o a catheter bag

o antiseptic solution

o sterile gloves

o lignocaine gel

o a 10ml sterile water -filled syringe

Urinary system 2017 Dr Tee

 3. Position the patient on her back, lying as flat as possible. Ask her to put her ankles
together and let her knees fall apart.

4. Using an aseptic technique open the catheter pack and pour antiseptic solution into the
receiver. Open the rest of your equipment onto the sterile field.

5. Wash and dry your hands, then put on the sterile gloves.

6. Drape the patient and place a collecting vessel between the patients legs.

7. With your left hand, part the labia. Using saline soaked gauze balls, clean the urinary
meatus with your right hand. Remember to use single downward movements with each
gauze.

8. With the labia still parted, and ensuring you identify the meatus, insert the syringe of
lignocaine gel and inject the whole syringe. Warn your patient that this may be slightly
uncomfortable and that it will take about 5 minutes to work.

9. Using your right hand only, pick up the catheter by its sleeve and start to insert it into the
meatus. Continuing to use the sleeve, insert the catheter until the end arm reaches the
meatus. At this point, urine should start to flow into the collecting vessel.

10. Inflate the balloon using 10ml of sterile water, ensuring that it does not cause any pain.
NB the volume used to fill the balloon may vary depending upon the size of the catheter
used, check the packaging for the exact volume to use.

11. Attach the catheter bag.

12. Gently pull on the catheter until resistance is felt. This is when the balloon will be resting
on the urethral opening of the bladder.

13. Dispose of your gloves and equipment in the clinical waste bin. Wash your hands.

14. Afterwards record the volume of urine collected in the catheter bag and ensure that the
patient is comfortable and covered. Remember to complete the sticker on the outside of
the catheter pack and put it into the patients notes

- See more at: http://www.osceskills.com/e-learning/subjects/urethral-catheterisation-

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Urinary system 2017 Dr Tee