Which catheter is preferred for a patient with a history of prostate enlargement?

Which catheter is preferred for a patient with a history of prostate enlargement?

• A. Straight catheter.
• B. Coude-tipped catheter.
• C. Foley catheter with a 30 mL balloon.
• D. Silicone catheter.

Answer: (B)

When a man has an enlarged prostate, the prostatic urethra narrows and bends, making insertion harder and more traumatic if a straight path is forced. A coude-tipped catheter has a curved, angled tip designed to deflect around the prostatic tissue and follow the natural curve into the bladder. This helps negotiate the obstruction with less resistance, reducing urethral trauma and the risk of creating a false passage. A straight catheter lacks this navigational aid and is more likely to meet resistance or cause injury in the presence of BPH. A Foley catheter with a balloon is a drainage device meant for retention after insertion, not for easing passage past an enlarged prostate. A silicone catheter describes material and biocompatibility but does not address the mechanical challenge of circumventing prostatic obstruction.

When a man has an enlarged prostate, the prostatic urethra narrows and bends, making insertion harder and more traumatic if a straight path is forced. A coude-tipped catheter has a curved, angled tip designed to deflect around the prostatic tissue and follow the natural curve into the bladder. This helps negotiate the obstruction with less resistance, reducing urethral trauma and the risk of creating a false passage.

A straight catheter lacks this navigational aid and is more likely to meet resistance or cause injury in the presence of BPH. A Foley catheter with a balloon is a drainage device meant for retention after insertion, not for easing passage past an enlarged prostate. A silicone catheter describes material and biocompatibility but does not address the mechanical challenge of circumventing prostatic obstruction.