Overview Show
Your kidneys are part of your urinary system and work to produce urine. Normally, the urine that is produced flows from the kidneys into a tube called a ureter. The ureter connects your kidneys to your bladder. When enough urine has collected in your bladder, you feel the need to urinate. Urine passes from the bladder, through your urethra, and out of your body. Sometimes there is a block in your urinary system and urine can’t flow as normal. Blockages can be caused by a number of things, including:
A nephrostomy tube is a catheter that’s inserted through your skin and into your kidney. The tube helps to drain urine from your body. The drained urine is collected in a small bag located outside of your body. The procedure to place your nephrostomy tube typically takes less than an hour and will be performed while you’re sedated. Before your procedurePrior to having your nephrostomy tube placed, you should be sure to do the following:
During your procedureYour doctor will inject an anesthetic at the site where the nephrostomy tube is to be inserted. They’ll then use imaging technology such as ultrasound, CT scan, or fluoroscopy to help them place the tube correctly. When the tube has been inserted, they’ll attach a small disk to your skin to help hold the tube in place. Your doctor will instruct you on how to care for your nephrostomy tube. You’ll have to inspect your tube on a daily basis as well as empty any urine that has collected in the drainage bag. Inspection of your nephrostomy tubeWhen you inspect your nephrostomy tube, you should check the following:
Emptying your drainage bagYou’ll need to empty your drainage bag into a toilet when it’s approximately halfway full. The amount of time between each emptying of the bag can vary from person to person. Some people will need to do this every few hours. Flushing your tubingYou typically need to flush your tubing at least once a day, but you may need to flush more often following your procedure. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to flush your tubing. The general procedure is as follows:
Additional things to remember
Placing a nephrostomy tube is generally a safe procedure. The most common complication that you’re likely to encounter is infection. You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms, as they may indicate an infection:
You should also contact your doctor should any of the following occur, as it may be a sign of a blockage:
Your nephrostomy tube is temporary and will eventually need to be removed. During removal, your doctor will inject an anesthetic at the site where the nephrostomy tube was inserted. They’ll then gently remove the nephrostomy tube and apply a dressing to the site where it used to be. During your recovery period, you’ll be instructed to drink plenty of fluids, avoid strenuous activity, and avoid bathing or swimming. Placement of a nephrostomy tube is temporary and allows urine to drain outside of your body when it can’t flow through your urinary system as normal. You should contact your doctor immediately if you have any concerns about your nephrostomy tube or suspect an infection or a block in your tubing. What is a priority nursing action for the care of a nephrostomy tubes?Management of the tube and bags
Drainage bags should be changed every 5-7 days, while good hand hygiene is vital when handling the drain and exit site and emptying the drainage bag. Nephrostomy tubes should be routinely changed every three months as recommended by the manufacturer.
What is the major complication of nephrostomy drainage?Here are some complications you could get from a nephrostomy tube: Kidney infection. Urinary tract infection (UTI) Kidney damage.
How often should a nephrostomy be flushed?You will flush the drain with 5–10cc of sterile saline daily as instructed. Flushing the drain will help keep the tube functioning properly.
Can a nurse flush a nephrostomy tube?Flushing the Tube
If the patient reports no drainage of urine from the tube and there has not been an increase in the amount of urine passed normally the nephrostomy may need flushing. This should be carried out by the District Nurse/Practice Nurse.
|