Male External Catheter in Adults: a glance at nursing care practice

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe the patients care in the use of the Male External Catheter in Adults in a clinical-surgical hospitalization unit. Method: a cross-sectional study. Evaluation of 30 patients hospitalized in clinical-surgical units to collect items related to the specific care provided. Results: 100% had no reference to the use of external catheter in the evolution of the nurse; 43.3% of the assistants or technicians recorded; 36.6% presented skin lesions; 100% had a latex device attached with adhesive tape; 90% were not submitted to hair removal; 96.7% had daily genital hygiene; 70% received no guidance at all. Conclusion: no individualized evaluation was observed for the use of the device, nursing records did not include prescription and description of installation and care, latex device and micropore paper adhesive tape were predominant; skin lesions were prevalent, hygiene and exchange were adequate, few patients were advised regarding the use of the device.