AST Surgical Technologist 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The Coude catheter is specifically designed with a small, curved tapered tip, making it ideal for navigating around urethral strictures. This design allows for easier insertion and maneuvering through areas where the urethra may be narrowed or obstructed, providing better access to the bladder without causing trauma to the surrounding tissues.

Foley catheters are typically straight and designed for continuous drainage of the bladder, making them less suitable for patients with strictures. Nelaton catheters are also straight and used mostly for intermittent catheterization, but they lack the curvature needed to navigate strictures. Intermittent catheters are used for temporary catheterization, but like the others, do not have the specialized tip design that the Coude catheter offers.