Urethral catheter selection.

Many patients undergo urethral catheterisation. Selecting the most appropriate catheter for an individual patient requires knowledge and a practical understanding of the types of catheter available. A number of factors should be considered in catheter selection, including patient needs, indications for catheterisation, the type of material, the balloon size and the length and diameter of the catheter. The aim of this article is to provide information that will clarify some of the concerns nurses might have regarding urethral catheterisation.