Acute retention of urine

Question 1

Management

Answer 1

Perform PR exam and empty rectum of any impacted faecal material;

• check for prostate cancer or prostatitis in the male.

Consider simple ideas, e.g. a hot bath or stand to sound of running water

Catheterise with size 14 or 16 Foley catheter to relieve obstruction and drain.

• Obtain MCU.
• If not possible place SPC.
• Seek a urological opinion
• If there is any chance of recovery (e.g. if the problem is drug-induced), withdraw drug, leave catheter in for 48 h, remove and give trial of prazosin 0.5 mg bd or terazosin