A 70-year-old man with BPH presents with acute urinary retention. Bladder scan shows 800 mL. He is in significant discomfort. What is the immediate management?
- A Urethral catheterization with a 16 Fr Foley catheter ✓
- B Transurethral resection of the prostate immediately
- C Suprapubic cystostomy under local anesthesia
- D Alpha-blocker administration and observation
Correct answer: A. Urethral catheterization with a 16 Fr Foley catheter
Explanation
Immediate management of acute urinary retention is urethral catheterization with a standard 16 Fr Foley catheter. If urethral catheterization fails, a suprapubic catheter is placed. Definitive surgical management (TURP) is performed later after the patient is stabilized and any reversible causes are addressed. Alpha-blockers are not sufficient for acute retention with high residual volume.
Reference: Bailey and Love's Short Practice of Surgery, 28th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.