catheter (male) 101

[nate07]

There are different width sizes of intermittent and indwelling catheters as from fr14 to fr 30 or perhaps more. The patient must consult with a nurse or other appropriate medical professional for the correct size. Perhaps, most males may use an fr 16 or fr18. But how is it determined what is the correct catheter size?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

I usually go with the "normal" size of 16 to 18 and go smaller if they are older and I have trouble getting in perhaps due to prostatic hypertrophy. Some guys, especially those with hypospadious (sp?) have smaller openings and require a smaller size. Usually it's sometimes hit and miss if you don't know ahead of time.

Usually the larger sizes are specifically ordered by the MDs. Perhaps they have a urethral tear and they want a large size to help with the bleeding, or other reason to go larger.

[leslie :-D]

16, 18 are the norms...

but like tweety, i tend to go smaller if i think their prostates are enlarged.

if they need to pass clots or their urine is junky, i go a little bigger.

often it's a balancing act, and need to use our best judgment.

in other words, there are no absolute answers.

leslie

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Also remember that if someone has had an indeweeling catheter for a long time - paraplegics, etc - they'll require a bigger one because their urethra'll be enlarged.

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

I agree with the above choices (and I've seen para's that needed foley sizes that just made my toes curl to look at). One thing that can help sometimes if you have a very obese pt, or a guy that has a tremendous amount of scrotal swelling, like in CHF, if you can trendelenburg the pt, it's sometimes easier to get the foley in place. It takes all the pressure off the bladder and sphincters, I gues...

[lpnflorida]

I agree with the use of #16 or #18 being used the most frequently. With some BPH patients I prefer to use the cudea cath , it does make it easier not only for me , but for the patient.

[Midwest4me]

With some BPH patients I prefer to use the cudea cath , it does make it easier not only for me , but for the patient.

What is a cudea cath? I haven't heard of that.

[Iam46yearsold]

Coude Cath. Has a firm curved tip at the end for easier insertion

[jakeb]

I always use a 14 Fr. to start with. On my floor we do a lot of intermittent cathing. I use a 14 Fr. to reduce pain(it can hurt), and also use a lidojet...

[lpnflorida]

Cudea cath, I am not sure of spelling, has a curve to the end of it to help insertion when prostates are enlarged.

[nate07]

Is there a scientific way of determining the correct size? An intermittent catheter used simply for draining would not need to be exact size of the uretha; it could be smaller. With a Foley or other indwelling catheter, there could be leakage if it was too small.

If a patient needed an FR 22, would this be determined by trial and error as one worked up from an fr 16? Or would a doctor use a medical sound? or tape measure? or?

[lpnflorida]

I asked a urologist, its trial and error so to speak.