What it means
Irrigation cleans away debris, drainage and germs or keeps a tube open. Examples are wound irrigation with saline, bladder irrigation through a catheter, eye irrigation after a chemical splash and irrigating a nasogastric tube or a colostomy.
For the nurse
Use the solution and technique ordered, warm it to body temperature when appropriate, and let the fluid flow from the cleanest area to the dirtiest. Wear eye protection when splashing is likely.
At a glance
| Spanish | irrigación |
|---|---|
| Also written | irrigations, irrigate, irrigated |
Related terms
nasogastric tube
A thin, flexible tube passed through the nose and down the esophagus into the stomach.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube put into the body to drain fluid out or to put fluid or drugs in.
wound care
The cleaning, protecting and dressing of a wound to help it heal and to prevent infection.