A three-way indwelling urinary catheter is used after TURP. Besides inflating the balloon, which function do the lumens provide?

• A. Continuous inflow and outflow of irrigation solution
• B. Urine drainage only
• C. Medication administration only
• D. No additional lumens besides balloon

Answer: (A)

After TURP, a three-way catheter has three lumens: one to inflate the retention balloon, one for urine drainage, and a third for bladder irrigation. The irrigation lumen provides continuous inflow of sterile saline into the bladder, while the urine drainage pathway carries that fluid and urine away. This ongoing irrigation keeps the surgical area clear of blood and debris, helps prevent clot obstruction of the catheter, and allows monitoring of bleeding through the effluent. Medication administration is not the primary purpose of the irrigation lumen, and there are indeed additional lumens beyond the balloon.