[Catheters in urology: Indications and management in daily practice for the nurse]

The urology nurse cares for patients wearing many different types of urinary catheters. Her role in the management of these devices in external care, clinical units, operating room or at home is fundamental. We performed a state of the art of good practices and of the up to date knowledge regarding the indication, placement, and specific care of these devices, which are every day more numerous on the market. Indwelling bladder catheter are placed, daily managed and removed by nurses, depending on an initial medical indication. The type of catheter must be adapted to the patient and to the clinical situation. Its daily care and management should allow not only the best comfort for the patient, but also an efficient management of the associated infectious risk. The placement of ureteral catheters (simple monoJ, double J or nephrostomy), are mainly of surgical initial indication. We developed what we thought was compulsory knowledge about them for an operating theater's nurse. The associated care for urology's nurses is also detailed. This inventory of available urinary catheter's, of their indications and management, aims to be a help for the urology nurse in her daily practice. Her/his role is essential in the choice of the adequate catheter and in its correct management, not only for the urologist but also for the patient himself.