Urinary catheters
Urinary catheter gauges The French scale (Fr.) is used to denote the size of catheters. Each unit is roughly equivalent to 0.33 mm in diameter (that is, 18 Fr. indicates a diameter of 6 mm). The smaller the number, the smaller the catheter. A larger sized catheter is used for a male because it is stiffer, thus easier to push the distance of the male urethra. Catheters come in several sizes: – a. Number 8 Fr. and 10 Fr. are used for children. – b. Number 14 Fr. and 16 Fr. are used for female adults. – c. Number 20 Fr. and 22 Fr. are usually used for male adults. Types of urinary catheters Intermittent Catheter. An intermittent c atheter is used to drain the bladder for short periods (5-10 minutes). It may be inserted by the patient. Retention/Indwelling Cath eter. This type of catheter is placed into the bladder and secured there for a period of time. Supra Pubi