What is the thin, flexible catheter used to drain urine from the bladder by way of the urethra and may be left in place for extended periods?

• A. Foley Catheter
• B. Ureteral Catheter
• C. Indwelling Catheter
• D. Urinary Catheter

Answer: (A)

The device described is a Foley catheter. It is a thin, flexible tube inserted through the urethra into the bladder to drain urine, and it is designed to stay in place for extended periods. What makes a Foley work for long-term use is the inflatable balloon near the tip that is filled with sterile water once in the bladder to anchor the catheter and prevent displacement, enabling continuous drainage over days or weeks.

Ureteral catheters go into the ureter, not the bladder, so they’re not used for bladder drainage through the urethra. An indwelling catheter is the broad category of catheters left in place, which includes Foley catheters, but the question points to the specific device used for urethral bladder drainage. A urinary catheter is a general term for catheters that drain urine, but it doesn’t specify the particular type designed for extended use via the urethra.