How is foley catheter removed?

RelaxRemoving a foley catheter from a man is no different than a woman. Practice standard precautions while performing this.

1. Take a 10-ml syringe and deflate the catheter bulb. After pulling back on the plunger to obtain fluid, leave the syringe attached. Sometimes additional fluid will continue to slowly leak out of the balloon. Do not be concerned if you do not get more than about 5 - 6 mls, the remainder is in the catheter tubing.

2. Take a small washcloth and hold it under the penis at the meatus. As you remove the catheter some urine may flow out with it, and you will want to catch this from wetting the patient or bed.

3. Inform the patient, "I'm going to pull this out... take a few deep breaths". The removal is not normally painful.

4. Pull out quickly and smoothly. If urine was still in the drainage bag measure and empty, then dispose of tubing and bag in the biohazardous trash.

Ayraayra: actually if you don't get the full amount of fluid back into the syringe you should be concerned. Chances are it's still in the balloon and if you try to pull the catheter out while the balloon is still partially inflated you could end up doing tissue damage. If you don't get all the fluid out try again.