Table 2.

Quick Guide to Catheter Problems (from the Paying Attention Educational Booklet)

Problem	Action Strategies
Decreased/inconsistent fluid intake	Increase fluid intake
Urinary tract infection	Increase fluid intake Recognize early symptoms of urinary tract infection and act on it
Catheter blocks	Increase fluid intake Promote catheter changes at best intervals
Adjustment to living with a catheter	Approaches for living with a catheter
Not sure of the best schedule for catheter changes	Promote catheter changes at best intervals
Kinks, twists, or tugs on catheter	Prevent kinks, twists, or tugs on catheter
Too much caffeine	Decrease caffeine
Catheter leaks	Decrease catheter leakage Empty urine bag
Urine bag odor	Clean urine drainage bag
Changes with sex	Make adjustments for sexual activity