There are some medical procedures that make even the bravest of individuals feel quite a lot of fear. The fear, of course, comes from the dread of pain and, in some cases, that dread is justified. Having a catheter inserted is probably one of the most intimidating procedures for men and women alike. Even though these devices can save lives, the idea of undergoing such an invasive and uncomfortable procedure is terrifying for many people. Keeping patients calm before and during this procedure can be quite a challenge.
The first rule is not to lie. “This won’t hurt a bit” is something that someone performing this procedure should not tell a patient. However, it does help to be realistic. The pain will only last for a short time. Many healthcare professionals prefer to use the word “discomfort” rather than the word “pain”. This is not a psychological trick. Pain is a relative term. Some individuals can easily endure pain that would leave others in a crying heap on the floor. Discomfort is a more descriptive and useful term and, of course, warning a patient of impending pain will likely cause tension which is the last thing one needs when performing this procedure.
Generally, most patients consider the worst part of this procedure to be penetrating the outer sphincter. The patient should be urged to relax just before this is done. Tension will most certainly make the affair worse. Because most patients undergoing this procedure are in pain already because of an inability to relieve themselves, there may be some relief once the device is actually inserted that will tend to lessen the discomfort associated with the actual insertion, at least in the patient’s mind. Patients who need this procedure done repetitively tend to adapt to the sensation.