Anatomical Competence in Suprapubic Catheterisation Among Urology Nurses at Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

Suprapubic catheterisation involves the percutaneous insertion of a catheter into the urinary bladder through the anterior abdominal wall, and is performed when urethral catheterisation is contraindicated. Safe execution of this procedure requires knowledge of the retropubic space anatomy, the bladder neck, prevesical fat, and the relationship of the anterior abdominal wall muscles to the distended bladder. Complications including bowel perforation, haematuria, and pelvic vessel injury can result from inadequate anatomical understanding. This study aims to assess the anatomical competence of urology nurses in the performance of suprapubic catheterisation at the Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. A structured anatomy knowledge questionnaire and a simulation-based performance assessment using a pelvic model will be administered to 60 nursing staff. Performance scores will be correlated with years of urology nursing practice, formal anatomy training history, and frequency of the procedure. Findings will support the development of a competency-based anatomy refresher curriculum for urology nursing practice in the South South zone, targeting specific procedural anatomy knowledge deficits.

Keywords: suprapubic catheterisation, urology nursing, pelvic anatomy, Federal Medical Centre Yenagoa, competency