XXI Glossary
Open Resources for Nursing (Open RN)
Bladder scan: A bedside test using a noninvasive tool used to measure the volume of urine in the bladder.
CAUTI: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
Colostomy: The colon is attached to a stoma to bypass the rectum and the anus.
Coude catheter: A catheter specifically designed to maneuver around obstructions or blockages in the urethra such as with enlarged prostate glands in males. Coude originates from the French word that means “bend.”
Ileostomy: The lower end of the small intestine (ileum) is attached to a stoma to bypass the colon, rectum, and anus.
Indwelling catheter: A device often referred to as a “Foley catheter” that is inserted into the neck of the bladder and remains in place for continual collection of urine into a collection bag.
Intermittent catheterization: The insertion and removal of a straight catheter for relief of urinary retention.
Ostomy: The surgical procedure that creates the opening from the stoma outside the body to an organ such as the small intestine, colon, rectum, or bladder. A stoma can be permanent, such as when an organ is removed, or temporary, such as when an organ requires time to heal.
Prostate hypertrophy: A common medical condition of the enlargement of the prostate gland in males as they age, causing uncomfortable urinary symptoms such as urgency and frequency.
Stoma: An opening on the abdomen that is connected to the gastrointestinal or urinary systems to allow waste (urine or feces) to be collected in a pouch.
Straight catheter: A catheter used for intermittent urinary catheterization; it does not have a balloon at the insertion end.
Urinary catheterization: The insertion of a catheter tube into the urethral opening and placing it in the neck of the urinary bladder to drain urine.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection in the urinary system causing symptoms such as burning on urination (dysuria), frequent urination, malodorous urine, fever, and change in level of consciousness.
Urostomy: The ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidney to the bladder) are attached to a stoma to bypass the bladder.
