Final answer:
Bethanechol (Urecholine) aids in treating urinary retention by stimulating bladder contractions, encouraging the detrusor muscle to help initiate urination. This process is part of normal micturition, which, under various circumstances, can require medical assistance to work correctly.
Step-by-step explanation:
The medication bethanechol (Urecholine) acts on the bladder by stimulating bladder contractions. When a client takes bethanechol, it prompts the detrusor muscle of the bladder to contract, which helps to initiate urination. This property of bethanechol is valuable in cases where a patient experiences urinary retention, as it can encourage the emptying of the bladder. The drug works by mimicking the action of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that activates the parasympathetic nervous system, leading to increased bladder muscle motility and decreased ability to retain urine.
Under normal circumstances, the micturition reflex is what enables the process of urination. This reflex involves a complex coordination between the muscular wall of the bladder (the detrusor muscle), and the internal and external urethral sphincters. When the bladder reaches a certain level of fullness, these receptors trigger the urge to urinate. However, in certain situations, like after childbirth or due to other conditions that impact bladder function, medication may be necessary to facilitate this reflex.
Bethanechol's effect of stimulating bladder contractions is the opposite of inhibiting urethral sphincter tone, which would also help with voiding, but via a different mechanism—by making it easier for urine to pass through the urethra.