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Should I Withhold The Lasix Treatment Due To The Non Functioning Of Foley Catheter?
My father has a foley catheter and he says it is not functioning. He has had urinary retention for several years. He was hospitalized with pneumonia and c diff and is recovering nicely from both. While in the hospital, the hospitalist added Lasix and K. now that he is in rehab he is unable to void--the urine collection is very decreased. He apparently was tx with Lasix for what they thought was pulmonary edema but now I think he doesn't need it and it is causing the retention. Am I totally off base? he won't have any blood work drawn drawn until next Wednesday. He has never been on Lasix and potassium. One day he had a critical K of 6.2. I'm needing some direction. I've talked to 2 nurses who don't know him and are following MD orders. Should I ask them to call the MD and hold the Lasix? His lungs sound clear now. I'm a retired RN so I do a little about the body. My dad is 90 and orientedx3. Help, Please
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 11 Nov 2014
Answered on
Wed, 12 Nov 2014
Last reviewed on
Hello
Catheter in situ and it is not working according to your father , so urine is not coming , reason may be as:
1 Either some foreign body like blood or pus plugged in the opening of catheter ( opening which drain urine from bladder to exterior ) as this thing I have noted in my patient ( usually this is blood clot ).
2 The next possibility is the there is no formation of urine in kidneys . In such situation urine don't pass.
In both situation you should consult your physician and get his opinion till you can give potassium but NOT LASIX ( as it may be dangerous if kidenys are working fully ) So consult your treating doctor and get his opinion because physical examination of patient and catheter is important.
Catheter in situ and it is not working according to your father , so urine is not coming , reason may be as:
1 Either some foreign body like blood or pus plugged in the opening of catheter ( opening which drain urine from bladder to exterior ) as this thing I have noted in my patient ( usually this is blood clot ).
2 The next possibility is the there is no formation of urine in kidneys . In such situation urine don't pass.
In both situation you should consult your physician and get his opinion till you can give potassium but NOT LASIX ( as it may be dangerous if kidenys are working fully ) So consult your treating doctor and get his opinion because physical examination of patient and catheter is important.
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