What is urinary catheterization primarily used for?

Urinary catheterization is primarily used to withdraw urine from the bladder, making it a key procedure in various medical contexts. This technique involves inserting a catheter, which is a thin tube, into the bladder through the urethra. The primary purpose of this procedure is to allow for the drainage of urine when patients are unable to do so naturally due to conditions such as urinary retention, obstructions, or post-surgery recovery.

The method is also valuable in monitoring urine output, which can provide critical information about a patient's fluid balance and kidney function. It is commonly performed in hospitals, particularly for patients undergoing certain surgical procedures or those who are critically ill and require close monitoring of their urine production.

In contrast, enhancing kidney function, identifying urinary infections, or performing kidney transplants involves different medical procedures and approaches, which are not the primary focus of catheterization itself. These options reflect other aspects of urology and nephrology but do not capture the fundamental purpose of urinary catheterization.