What it means
Also called intermittent or in-and-out catheterization. A straight catheter has no balloon, so it is not left in. It is used to empty the bladder when the client cannot void, to measure urine left after voiding (post-void residual), to collect a sterile urine sample, and on a schedule for people with nerve damage to the bladder, who often learn to do it themselves at home.
For the nurse
In the hospital it is a sterile procedure; at home, clean technique is often taught. Drain the urine, note the amount and look of it, and remove the catheter. Using a straight catheter instead of leaving an indwelling urinary catheterin-DWEL-ing YUR-ih-nair-ee KATH-uh-terA tube passed through the urethra into the bladder and left in place to drain urine into a bag.Full entry in place lowers the risk of urinary tract infection.
In a chart
"Unable to void for 8 hours; straight catheterization done with sterile technique, 650 mL clear yellow urine returned."
At a glance
| Also written | intermittent catheterization, straight cath, straight catheter |
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Related terms
indwelling urinary catheter
A tube passed through the urethra into the bladder and left in place to drain urine into a bag.
urinary retention
Being unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.
catheter
A thin, flexible tube put into the body to drain fluid out or to put fluid or drugs in.