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The bladder probe is a thin, flexible tube that is inserted from the urethra to the bladder, to allow urine to escape into a collection bag. This type of tube is generally used when they are unable to control the act of urinating, due to obstructions such as prostate hypertrophy, urethral dilation or even in cases where it is intended to perform tests on sterile urine or prepare the person for surgery, for example .
This technique should be performed only if necessary and ideally it should be done by a health professional, as the risk of developing infections, injuries and bleeding is very high. However, there are also some cases where the introduction of the probe can be done at home, but in these cases the correct technique needs to be taught by a nurse and trained at the hospital.
When it is indicated to put a probe
Due to the risks of the technique, the bladder probe should only be used if it is really necessary, as in the following cases:
- Relief from acute or chronic urinary retention;
- Control of urine production by the kidney;
- Post-renal renal failure, due to infra-bladder obstruction;
- Loss of blood through urine;
- Collection of sterile urine for exams;
- Measurement of residual volume;
- Control of urinary incontinence;
- Ureteral dilation;
- Evaluation of the dynamics of the lower urinary tract;
- Emptying the bladder before, during and after surgery and exams;
In addition, the placement of a bladder probe can also be done to administer medication directly to the bladder, in cases of serious infections, for example.
Main types of bladder catheter
There are two types of bladder catheterization:
1. Bladder catheter
The bladder catheter is used when continuous urine drainage needs to be maintained for several days, weeks or months.
This type of probe is indicated when it is necessary to promote constant emptying of the bladder, monitor urine output, perform surgical preparation, perform bladder irrigation or to reduce urine contact with skin lesions close to the genital region.
2. Bladder relief or intermittent probe
Unlike the vescial delay probe, the relief probe does not remain on the person for long, being normally removed after emptying the bladder.
This type of tube is more used to drain urine before any medical procedure or for immediate relief in people with paralysis and chronic urinary retention, for example. It can also be used in people with a neurogenic bladder, to obtain a sterile urine sample or to carry out a residual urine test after emptying the bladder.
How is the bladder catheter placed
The procedure for placing the bladder tube must be performed by a healthcare professional and usually follows the following steps:
- Gather all the necessary material;
- Put on gloves and wash the person's intimate area;
- Wash hands;
- Sterile open the catheterization package with the person;
- Open the probe package and place it next to the vat, without contamination;
- Place the lubricant on one of the pack's gauze;
- Ask the person to lie on their backs, with their legs open for the female and legs together, for the male;
- Put on the sterile gloves of the catheterization package;
- Lubricate the probe tip;
- For females, perform antisepsis with the forceps fitted, separating the small lips with the thumb and forefinger, passing a wet gauze of antiseptic between the large and small lips and over the urinary meatus;
- For males, perform antisepsis on the glans with the forceps fitted with gauze moistened with the antiseptic, removing with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand the foreskin covering the glans and the urinary meatus;
- Take the tube with the hand that did not come into contact with the intimate region and introduce it into the urethra, and leave the other end inside the tub, checking the urine output;
- Inflate the probe flask with 10 to 20 mL of distilled water.
At the end of the procedure, the probe is fixed to the skin with the help of an adhesive, which in men is placed on the supra pubic region and in women it is applied to the inner side of the thigh.
Possible risks of using the probe
Bladder catheterization should only be performed if it is really necessary, because it presents a high risk of urinary tract infection, especially when the tube is not properly cared for.
In addition, other risks include hemorrhage, formation of bladder stones and various types of injuries to the urinary tract, mainly due to the application of excessive force when using the probe.
Learn how to care for the bladder tube in order to minimize the risk of infection.