Final answer:
The nurse should instruct the client to suppress the urge to urinate until a scheduled time and avoid strategies that can be counterproductive, such as drinking carbonated beverages, excessively restricting fluids, or waking frequently at night to urinate.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bladder Retraining for Urinary Incontinence
When teaching a client about bladder retraining for urinary incontinence, the nurse should include critical information to help manage the condition effectively. One key instruction is that the client should try to suppress the urge to urinate until the scheduled time. This method aligns with the ability of the bladder's stretch receptors to signal when it is time to void, which can be voluntarily suppressed to a point. Clients are often advised to gradually increase the time between voiding to improve bladder control.
Contrary to the practice of promoting urinary retention, drinking carbonated beverages can irritate the bladder and should not be recommended. Furthermore, waking to urinate every 2 hours at night disrupts the natural sleep cycle and should not be part of bladder retraining except under specific circumstances. Restricting fluid intake excessively can also be counterproductive as it may lead to dehydration and concentrated urine, which can irritate the bladder. Adequate hydration is essential, though it should be moderated and timed appropriately.
The aim is to achieve a balance in fluid intake and bladder control without compromising overall health and well-being. It's also essential for the patient's environment and routine to support these retraining efforts, as improving accessibility and reducing physical barriers can positively impact success in retraining.