What term describes a urinary catheter that remains in place?

What term describes a urinary catheter that remains in place?

• A. Retention catheter
• B. Straight catheter
• C. Indwelling catheter
• D. External catheter

Answer: (A)

A catheter that stays in place is designed for continuous drainage and is anchored inside the bladder by a retention mechanism. A retention catheter uses a balloon near the tip that is inflated to hold the catheter in the bladder, preventing accidental withdrawal and allowing urine to drain over a period of time. This distinguishes it from a straight catheter, which is intended for one-time or intermittent use and is removed after draining, and from an external catheter, which sits outside the body and does not enter the bladder. While the broader term indwelling can describe any catheter left in place, the term that specifically emphasizes the feature keeping it in place is retention catheter.

A catheter that stays in place is designed for continuous drainage and is anchored inside the bladder by a retention mechanism. A retention catheter uses a balloon near the tip that is inflated to hold the catheter in the bladder, preventing accidental withdrawal and allowing urine to drain over a period of time. This distinguishes it from a straight catheter, which is intended for one-time or intermittent use and is removed after draining, and from an external catheter, which sits outside the body and does not enter the bladder. While the broader term indwelling can describe any catheter left in place, the term that specifically emphasizes the feature keeping it in place is retention catheter.