Question

When caring for a client who has recently delivered, the nurse assesses the client for urinary retention with overflow. Which of the following descriptions provides an accurate picture of retention with overflow?

a) Frequent small voidings of clear urine
b) Urgency and increased frequency of voiding
c) Inability to void despite a full bladder
d) Continuous dribbling of urine

Answer 1

Urinary retention with overflow is described as continuous dribbling of urine due to the bladder being overly full and overcoming the sphincter's resistance. This can occur post delivery as a result of increased urinary production and the pressure of the uterus on the bladder.

Step-by-step explanation:

When caring for a client who has recently delivered, assessing for urinary retention with overflow involves looking for signs that indicate the bladder is not emptying properly despite being full. The correct description of retention with overflow is (d) Continuous dribbling of urine. This occurs because the bladder is so full that it overcomes the resistance of the urinary sphincter, resulting in a continued leakage or dribbling of urine. Overflow incontinence can happen postpartum due to the pressure of the uterus on the bladder, leading to frequent urination, and the overwhelming of the micturition reflex due to the increased volume of urine resulting from the mother processing both maternal and fetal wastes. Other types of urinary incontinence include stress urinary incontinence, which is typically caused by a loss of support of the urethra during childbirth, and urge incontinence, characterized by sudden and uncontrollable bladder contractions.