Indications for catheterisation and catheter selection

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Assessing urinary incontinence
3. Indications for Catheterisation
   1. Contra-indications to catheterisation
4. Catheter Selection
   1. Intermittent versus Indwellling?
   2. Catheter Size
   3. Balloon Size
   4. Catheter Length
   5. Charrière size
5. Catheter Material
6. Summary
7. References

Balloon Size

Catheters come with two different balloon sizes: 10ml and 30ml.

Task 10

1	Which of the following balloon sizes should be used for routine drainage? Choose from the following options and then select Check answer. a) 5ml b) 5-10ml c) 10ml d) 15ml e) 20ml f) 30ml Yes, the answer is 10ml.The correct answer is 10ml.Your answer has been saved.

Task 11

2

When should a 30ml balloon be used? Enter your answer in the box below and then select Check answer. A 30ml balloon should only be used in urology settings - it is used to aid homeostasis by applying pressure to the very vascular prostatic bed following surgery. A 30ml balloon should never be used in an attempt to stop a catheter falling out or to deter a patient from pulling it out.

(c) Sue Woodward

Sometimes a catheter balloon may be labelled as requiring 5-10mls of fluid to fill it. 10mls should always be inserted for routine drainage in adult patients, but smaller volumes may be used for children. The catheter balloon normally fills from one side first and if under-filled it will not sit properly at the bladder neck.

(c) Sue Woodward