What is the primary purpose of instilling a Foley catheter during a nephrectomy?

The primary purpose of instilling a Foley catheter during a nephrectomy is to measure urinary output. During this surgical procedure, the kidney is removed, and monitoring urinary output is crucial for assessing the function of the remaining kidney. This is important for patient safety, as urine output can provide valuable information about renal perfusion and overall fluid status. By placing a Foley catheter, the surgical team can accurately collect and measure urine output throughout and after the surgery, which assists in guiding postoperative management and ensuring the patient is stable.

While antibiotics may be administered during surgery, this is not the main reason for using a Foley catheter. Bladder irrigation is typically not required in the context of nephrectomy. Draining excess fluid from the abdomen is also not the primary purpose of the catheter; other drainage systems would be used for that purpose if necessary. Thus, monitoring urinary output remains the key function of the Foley catheter in this scenario.