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Nursing vocabulary · Basic Care and Mobility

Urinary catheter

Meaning in nursing, with examples

/ˈjʊrəˌnɛri ˈkæθɪtər/nounCore term

In nursing, urinary catheter means: A thin, flexible tube passed into the bladder, usually through the urethra, to drain urine into a bag.

In Turkish: idrar sondası, üriner kateter, Foley sonda

How it is used

Often just called 'a catheter' or 'a Foley' (after the common balloon type). Nurses insert, care for, empty and remove catheters and record when they went in, since catheters are a common cause of infection (CAUTI). Patients may say 'the tube' or 'the bag'.

Example sentences

  1. His urinary catheter isn't draining; can you check the tubing for kinks?

  2. The urinary catheter can come out tomorrow morning if he's walking to the toilet.

Common collocations

  • insert a urinary catheter
  • remove a urinary catheter
  • catheter bag
  • catheter care
  • indwelling urinary catheter
  • fluid balanceThe difference between all the fluid a patient takes in (drinks, drips, feeds) and all the fluid they lose (urine, vomit, drains) over a set time.
  • incontinenceBeing unable to control when urine or faeces leave the body, so that leaks happen without the person meaning them to.
  • hospital-acquired infectionAn infection that a patient picks up while in hospital or receiving healthcare, which was not present or developing when they were admitted.
  • aseptic techniqueA set of working methods that stops germs from getting into a wound, a vein or another part of the body during a procedure.

More terms: Basic Care and Mobility

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.