Unemptied catheter query.

[mrs.chappie]

Please can anyone advise me? If a person's catheter bag doesn't get emptied often enough, what happens to the urine that is being produced once the bag has filled up? Presumably it will fill the tube up, but what then?

Hope you can understand my question, I don't think I have worded it well.

TIA. x

[bednobs]

then it will fill their bladder

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks bednobs. If it filled their bladder, and remained unemptied, what would happen then?

[bednobs]

i would guess it would either leak round the sides of the catheter. Or it might make the catheter fall out, but this is unlikely, as they have a balloon in them to keep them in place

[Ethel]

They usually leak - unpleasant and distressing for the patient; or there is urine reflux which is painful and can cause health problems for the patient, as well as a risk of infection.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks bednobs. Much appreciated. x

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks to you too, Ethel.

[sqad617]

Look at it this way:
Bladder Capacity 500 mls....roughly.
Bag Capacity depending on type...500mls aprrox.

So one has 1litre of urine to play with.
Urine output varies with fluid intake so let's say 1litre/day.

So the bag would have to be left unchanged for 24hours....unlikely.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks sqad. I was just wondering, as I have an uncle in an old folks' home, and each time I visit him, his bag is very nearly full.

I empty the bag every time I go to see him, but I don't see him every day.

[Mamyalynne]

It would not go to the bladder but leak at the entry point. Make it clear to staff he should be checked at least 3 times a day. Plus you can get larger night bags to hang on side of bed with a higher capacity.

[chookie pie]

like a balloon the bag would burst

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks mamya. x

[sqad617]

marmyalynne.....quite an interesting and informed answer, but for my own education, don't the catheters have an inflated balloon INSIDE the bladder, that leaves an opening from the catheter to the bladder?

[Mamyalynne]

you are probably correct but in my limited experience it always leaks around the outside of catheter tubing, have heard of no incidence of it filling the bladder. The only sure way is to ensure the catheter is correct size correctly inserted and bag emptied regularly.