Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

General Nursing (RGN)

REMOVAL OF AN INDWELLING URINARY CATHETER

Removal of an indwelling urinary catheter involves confirming that it is no longer clinically required, deflating the retention balloon, gently withdrawing the catheter, and monitoring the patient’s subsequent voiding. The nurse uses standard precautions and reports urinary retention or other complications.

Purpose

  • End unnecessary catheterization and reduce infection risk
  • Restore normal bladder emptying
  • Assess the patient’s ability to void after removal

Indications

  • A prescription or approved protocol for catheter removal
  • Resolution of the clinical indication for catheterization
  • A planned trial of voiding or bladder retraining

Equipment

  • Clean gloves and appropriate PPE
  • 10 mL syringe or the syringe size specified for the balloon
  • Waterproof pad and towel
  • Receiver or waste receptacle
  • Perineal cleansing supplies
  • Graduated container if urine is measured
  • Bladder scan access if available
  • Documentation and intake-output chart

Preparation

  • Check the patient’s baseline continence, mobility, hydration, renal status, and ability to call for assistance.
  • Ensure a urinal, commode, bedpan, or toilet access is available before removal.

Procedure steps

  • Verify the order, patient identity, catheter type, balloon volume, allergies, and planned voiding-monitoring instructions.
  • Explain the procedure, expected brief discomfort, post-removal fluid and voiding plan, and provide privacy.
  • Perform hand hygiene, prepare equipment, position the patient comfortably, and protect the bed.
  • Put on clean gloves and inspect the catheter, meatus, urine, tubing, and drainage bag.
  • Insert the syringe into the balloon port and withdraw the entire balloon volume without forcing or injecting air.
  • Ask the patient to breathe slowly and relax; withdraw the catheter gently and steadily without pulling against resistance.
  • Inspect the catheter to confirm it is intact, dispose of it safely, provide perineal hygiene, and make the patient comfortable.
  • Record the removal time and last urine output, encourage mobility and fluids if appropriate, and explain when to call for assistance.
  • Monitor for the first void, discomfort, bladder distension, haematuria, and retention; use a bladder scan or escalate according to policy if indicated.
  • Document the procedure, catheter integrity, patient response, first void, and any review or escalation.

Precautions

  • Never cut the catheter or forcibly withdraw it; stop and seek review if the balloon will not deflate or resistance occurs.
  • Do not assume the patient has voided adequately; follow the facility’s post-removal monitoring schedule.
  • Use the balloon port only; injecting fluid into the drainage lumen is unsafe.
  • Report severe pain, urethral bleeding, inability to void, bladder distension, or deteriorating observations.

Aftercare

  • Offer hygiene, privacy, appropriate hydration, and assistance to mobilize or use the toilet.
  • Teach the patient to report urgency without passing urine, suprapubic pain, increasing distension, or bleeding.

Documentation

  • Record order, time removed, balloon volume withdrawn, catheter integrity, urine output, patient tolerance, and post-removal plan.
  • Record the first void and any bladder scan, retention, referral, or intervention.

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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