irrigation
(ir‵ĭ-gā'shŏn 
)
[L. irrigatio, watering]
The cleansing of a canal or cavity or the washing of a wound by flushing with water or other fluids. The solutions used for cleansing should be sterile and , for comfort, have an approximate temperature slightly warmer than body temperature (100° to 115°F [37.8° to 46.1°C]). When irrigation is performed for bleeding, cold or iced irrigant may be used.
SEE: lavage.
bladder i.Irrigation of the bladder to treat inflammation or infection or to keep a urinary catheter flowing. The irrigation may be intermittent or continuous. Normal saline is commonly used.
The necessary sterile equipment and the prescribed irrigant are assembled. The patient is covered with draping to preserve privacy and maintain antisepsis and is informed about how the procedure is done and what sensations he or she will feel. A triple-lumen indwelling catheter is inserted into the urinary bladder via the urethra; placement is confirmed by the flow of urine, and the anchoring balloon inflated via its lumen. The prescribed volume of irrigant is instilled via the irrigation lumen; the catheter is clamped to allow the solution to remain in the bladder for the prescribed period of time; then the catheter is unclamped to allow the irrigant to flow out of the bladder by gravity via the drainage lumen into a collecting basin or closed drainage system. The irrigation is repeated the prescribed number of times. The character of the irrigation solution returned and the presence of any mucus, blood, or other material visible in the drainage are noted. The catheter is removed according to the practitioner’s order. The time of the procedure, the type and volume of irrigant instilled, the type and volume of return, and the patient's response to the procedure are documented. If intermittent or continuous bladder irrigation is required, the catheter remains in place. Two large bags of irrigating fluid on a Y tubing are hung for continuous irrigation, with flow rate controlled to maintain clear drainage. Urine output is determined by subtracting the amount of irrigant instilled from the total drainage obtained.
Patients who receive high volumes of dilute fluids may absorb these irrigants and develop fluid overload or hyponatremia. To ensure patient safety, careful measurement of inputs and outputs and regular assessments of electrolytes, BUN, Cr, and oxygenation should be performed.colonic i.Irrigation of the colon with water; an enema. SYN: colonic hydrotherapy; colonic lavage.
ABBR: CBI
Irrigation by a constant flow of normal saline (or other bladder irrigant) through a three-way urinary catheter to keep the catheter patent. CBI is typically used postoperatively following a transurethral resection of the prostate gland .During CBI the volume of fluid infused and the volume returned is monitored and recorded.
high-pressure i.Irrigation of a wound with sterile fluid at a pressure of 7.0 pounds per sq. inch.
joint i.Irrigation of a joint space with fluids to remove particles such as crystals or fragments of bone or cartilage. It may be used as a treatment for osteoarthritic joint pain.
low-pressure i.Irrigation of a wound with sterile fluid at a pressure of 0.5 pounds per sq. inch.
oral i.Irrigation of the mouth, teeth, and gums with fluids. This is done to remove plaque and to treat or prevent periodontal disease.
ABBR: TAI
Irrigation with a fluid (usually water) through the anus into the rectosigmoid colon to manage constipation or fecal incontinence by stimulating the release of stool. Transanal irrigation is the preferred term for a therapeutic enema.SEE: enema.
whole bowel i.Irrigation with large volumes of a nonabsorbable fluid to remove potentially hazardous contents from the gastrointestinal tract. It is used to prepare some patients for bowel surgery and to decontaminate the gut after overdose.