About this topic
A condom catheter is used to collect urine in patients who are not able to get up and go to the bathroom. A condom catheter is a condom which is attached to a drainage tube and bag. The catheter is put on to the penis the same way as a condom is. Then, the bladder drains without using a toilet or a bedpan and the skin stays dry. Condom catheters are a safer choice and have a lower risk of infection compared to catheters that go inside the bladder. ‚
General
- Follow all of the doctors orders.
- Change the condom catheter each day.
- Clean your penis when the catheter is changed.
- Always wash your hands before and after working with the catheter.
- Drain the bag at least every 8 hours if using a full-sized bag and every 2 to 4 hours when using a smaller leg bag.
- Keep all parts of the condom catheter clean.
- To care for the bag:
- After taking the catheter off, rinse the used urine bag with warm water.
- Soak the urine bag in1/4 cup of white vinegar and 3/4 cup of tap water for 30 minutes. You can also use a bleach mixture with 2 tablespoons of clean, unscented bleach to 1 and 1/4 cup of water.
- Rinse and air dry the bag.
What will the results be?
Use of a condom catheter can prevent skin irritation. ‚
Will there be any other care needed?
- Be gentle when taking the catheter off to prevent any harm to the skin.
- Wash the penis with soap and water. Rinse and dry your penis with each catheter change.
- Check the penis for any red spots, sores, cuts, drainage, or broken skin.
- Keep the urine bag at a level that is lower than the bladder, but off of the floor. Keep the bag lower than your bladder to stop back flow into the bladder. Back flow may cause infection.
- Your doctor may ask you to make a note of how much urine is in the bag each time you drain the bag.
- Drink lots of fluids, especially if the urine color is dark yellow.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Penis becomes red, purple, or swollen
- Blood in the urine
- Foul smelling urine
- No urine output in 6 to 8 hours
- Pain when passing urine
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you how to care for my penis and catheter.
- I can tell you what I will do if my penis becomes red, purple, or swollen or my urine is foul smelling.
Where can I learn more?
Wound Ostomy & Continence Nurses Society ‚
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.wocn.org/resource/resmgr/Publications/External_Catheter_-_FS_%282008.pdf ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚