URETHRAL

CATHETHERIZATION
diagnostic or therapeutic
Indications
• Management of urinary retention
•  Collection of uncontaminated urine
specimen for analysis, culture, and
sensitivity, only if the patient is not
able to spontaneously void
• Diagnostic studies of the lower
urinary tract
•  Monitoring of urinary output
• Irrigation of the bladder or
instillation of medication
• Bladder drainage during and after
surgical procedures requiring
anesthetics
• Neurogenic bladder
• Patient requires prolonged
immobilization
• As a comfort measure for the
terminally ill or severely disabled
patient with incontinence
Contraindications
• Known or suspected urethral disruption resulting from pelvic trauma

Relative contraindication
• An acute infection of the prostate and/or urethra
• Recent reconstructive surgery of the urethra or bladder neck
• Known urinary tract obstruction, such as a urethral stricture