What it means
A general word for many tubes. A urinary catheter drains urine from the bladderBLAD-erThe hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.cyst/o bladder (as in cystitis)Full entry ; an IV catheter sits in a vein; a central venous catheter ends in a large vein near the heart; a suction catheter clears secretions from the airway. The name of the catheter usually says where it goes.
For the nurse
Every catheter is a way in for germs. Use sterile or aseptic technique as the device requires, keep it secured, check the site, and ask every day whether it is still needed.
At a glance
| Spanish | catéter, sonda |
|---|---|
| Also written | catheters, catheterization, catheterize |
Related terms
urinary tract infection
An infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.
indwelling urinary catheter
A tube passed through the urethra into the bladder and left in place to drain urine into a bag.
IV
Intravenous: into a vein, or the tube placed in a vein to give fluids and drugs.