• To refresh your knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the male urinary system
• To familiarise yourself with the procedure for undertaking male urethral catheterisation
• To understand how various issues that may occur during catheterisation can be addressed
Rationale and key points
This article provides a step-by-step guide explaining how to prepare for and perform male urinary catheterisation in a safe, effective and supportive manner. Nurses undertaking this procedure must ensure they have the knowledge and skills to do so and work within the limits of their competence.
• Urethral catheterisation is an invasive procedure and carries a risk of infection. It should only be undertaken after thorough clinical assessment and when other alternatives have been considered.
• The procedure can be anxiety-provoking for the patient, so the nurse should explain what is involved and proceed carefully, while keeping the patient informed throughout.
• Due to the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, it is important to regularly review the patient’s need to be catheterised and the catheter should be removed as soon as practically possible.
Reflective activity
‘How to’ articles can help to update your practice and ensure it remains evidence-based. Apply this article to your practice. Reflect on and write a short account of:
• How this article might improve your practice when planning and undertaking male urinary catheterisation.
• How you could use this information to educate nursing students or your colleagues on the procedure for male urinary catheterisation.
Nursing Standard. 39, 9, 41-45. doi: 10.7748/ns.2024.e12150
Peer reviewThis article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software
Correspondence Conflict of interestNone declared
Dekkers R (2024) How to undertake male urinary catheterisation. Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2024.e12150
DisclaimerPlease note that information provided by Nursing Standard is not sufficient to make the reader competent to perform the task. All clinical skills should be formally assessed according to policy and procedures. It is the nurse’s responsibility to ensure their practice remains up to date and reflects the latest evidence
Published online: 29 July 2024
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