A catheter that remains in place for several days or weeks and is held in position by a water-filled balloon in the bladder is called __________.

Appeared in: NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Explanation

The catheter described is an indwelling catheter, also commonly known as a Foley or retention catheter.
Its defining feature is the inflatable balloon at its tip, which, when filled with sterile water, anchors the catheter inside the bladder for continuous drainage.
This design allows it to remain in place for extended periods (days to weeks), matching the description in the question.

Option A: This is not a standard medical term for a type of urinary catheter and is an incorrect distractor.
Option C: A suprapubic catheter is defined by its insertion site. It is surgically placed through the abdominal wall directly into the bladder, bypassing the urethra.
Option D: An intermittent catheter, also known as a straight catheter, does not have a retention balloon. It is designed for temporary use—inserted to drain the bladder and then immediately removed.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Types and characteristics of urinary catheters as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Proper identification of catheter types is a fundamental nursing skill essential for correct insertion, management, and patient education.
The primary risk associated with indwelling catheters is Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI). Nurses must use strict aseptic technique during insertion and provide meticulous daily care to prevent this common healthcare-associated infection.
What if? If a patient required long-term bladder drainage but had a urethral obstruction or trauma, a suprapubic catheter would be the appropriate choice instead of a standard indwelling urethral catheter.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key descriptive phrases in the question: 'remains in place for several days or weeks' and 'held in position by a water-filled balloon'.
The phrase 'remains in place' indicates a long-term or indwelling device, which helps to rule out temporary options.
The feature 'water-filled balloon' is the specific mechanism used to anchor the catheter inside the bladder.
Evaluate each option against these two key features.
An 'indwelling catheter' (Foley) perfectly matches the description of a device held by a balloon for extended use.
An 'intermittent catheter' lacks a balloon. A 'suprapubic catheter' is primarily defined by its surgical insertion site. 'Intra pubic catheter' is not a recognized medical term.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Types and characteristics of urinary catheters
Stem keywords: catheter, remains in place, several days or weeks, water-filled balloon, bladder
Lead-in keywords: is called
Negative lead-in flag: false

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Taylor p. 598-600

E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 6 p. 1

Practise the full NHM UP Staff Nurse-2023 shift 1st

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.