what is a catheter and where and how is it inserted?

Answer 1

a urinary catheter (or foley catheter) a small tube that is inserted into the urethra and drains the bladder of urine. it can be used for people who cant get up to go to the bathroom. it is often used in the hospital but the catheter can stay in even when the patient can get up and walk, it is used to measure intake and outputs of fluids in patients.

there are other kinds of catheters that can be used for other things as well. when you have an IV placed in your arm the needle gets pulled out and the little tube that is left in your vein is also called a catheter.

Answer 2

I'm an ex-Paramedic and so this answer comes with some authoritive knowledge. There are a number of types of catheters which can be utulized on the human body for "specific" purposes: the foremost used catheter is the one which is a "tube" appox. 1/8" diameter which is inserted directly into the urethra of the urinary tract on either a man or woman, which is inserted until it reached the "bladder" in order that the persons' bladder may be emptied. In almost all cases, this type of catheter is inserted into anyone under-going surgery in order to prevent the person from urinating upon him or herself during surgery which would "contaminate" the surgical field. Other types of catheters can be those that only a Doctor can "insert" such as into the Subclavian Artery in order to feed the person (who may be comatose) with liquid nutrients directly into the arterial blood-stream. These two types just mentioned are the most commonly used types of catheters...the first mentioned is more of a "preventative" type catheter while the last mentioned is used more in "life-theatening" conditions in order to maintain life. An "IV" is actually a form of catheter which is inserted directly into a "vein" (as opposed to an "artery") in order to give the patient "fluids" like glucose to hydrate a person that is severely dehydrated. This same catheter (IV) can also be used to introduce antibiotics and/or pain medications into the persons blood-stream rather than having to take them orally or by injection. A "Nasal-gastric-tube" is another form of catheter which is inserted through the nasal cavity and down through the throat until it reaches the stomach...normally used to "feed" the patient liquid nutrients who in unable to eat or swallow from the result of any number of reasons or conditons. But in most cases, when a person "hears" the word "catheter"...they automatically think of the type of tube that is inserted into the urethra (urinary tract) to empty the bladder or for preventative purposes. Hope this has helped rather than cause any anxiety. Catheters are normally relatively painless when inserted and in most cases "unnoticeable" to the patient once inserted.

Answer 3

A catheter is a small tube that is inserted into another tube of biological origin. for example a urinary Catheter is inserted into the urethra. an intraveneous catheter is inserted into a blood vessel. the method of insertion varies based on the point of insertion.

Answer 4

A catheter is a tube that is inserted into a man's male organ or a female's organ. During surgery is one of the times that this may be done. If a patient has a procedure done that restricts them to the bed this procedure may be done.

Answer 5

A catheter is a rubber tube, it can be inserted into the arm or leg for heart testing, or for people who can't urinate, it can be inserted where your urine comes out.

Answer 6

It is a small tube which is inserted into the male urethra so as to drain urine away from the bladder. It is really just like a needle with a tube running out. Kind of like when you give blood.

Answer 7

a catheter is something inserted in the uterus of a woman to leak the urine into a bowl -mostly for bedridden people

ewww

Answer 8

Ummm, Jeremy - women don't urinate through their uteruses...

A catheter can be put into a vein, artery, urethra, etc. (as stated above... a tube put into a tube-like part of the body.)

Answer 9

Dear Vicky,
I think you know what this is and where it goes


now don't you


or do you need blow by blow account of how a urinary catheter is inserted in a male?

Answer 10

its a tube that is placed in the urethra (the hole you pee out of) its painfull and very uncomfortable as it has to stay in there for a while and it is just stuck up in there using lubricant but not much else no painkillers or anything the tube is connected to a baggy and it collects urine they usually use it when you are sick or giving birth and other situations similar to that..... though sometimes if they are trying to collect urine for a sample sometimes they will use a cathider on small childeren but only if they need a steryl sample (though they try to avoid that at all costs)