Urine culture (catheterized specimen)

Alternative names:

catheterized urine specimen; culture - urine (catheterized specimen); urine collection (catheterization)

What the risks are:

There is a slight risk of perforation (hole) from the catheter and a risk of infection.

Special considerations:

Rarely, a suprapubic aspirate may be performed if a sample cannot be obtained by other methods. In this method, a needle is inserted through the skin of the lower abdomen into the bladder to withdraw urine.