Steps for changing a urinary catheter

If a urinary catheter becomes blocked or urine drainage is impaired, the catheter should be replaced promptly. Catheter replacement must be performed by a trained professional. The specific procedure is as follows:

1. Position the patient supine on the bed. The operator takes out a new catheterization kit and removes a sterile empty syringe from it, then connects the syringe to the colored lumen of the catheter.

2. Gently pull back the syringe plunger to aspirate the sterile water from the balloon until no more fluid enters the syringe, then stop.

3. The operator puts on sterile gloves and uses forceps to pick up a disinfectant cotton ball, cleaning the skin around the catheter insertion site in a circular motion, with special attention to the catheter entry point.

4. After disinfection, the operator gently and slowly removes the catheter.

5. Take out the new catheter, inflate the colored lumen using a syringe to ensure the balloon expands, confirming the catheter is intact. Then evenly apply lubricant over the catheter surface.

6. Using forceps, grasp the tip of the new catheter and gently insert it into the patient's urethral opening. Once urine begins to flow, inject 8–15 mL of normal saline into the colored lumen to inflate the balloon inside the bladder, thereby securing the catheter in place.

After the procedure, patients should protect the insertion site. The wound must not come into contact with water or contaminants to prevent possible infection.