Word parts
What it means
Urinary incontinence is leaking urine; fecal (bowel) incontinence is leaking stool. Urinary incontinence has types: stress (with a cough, sneeze or laugh), urge (a sudden strong need to go, then leaking), overflow (a full bladder that dribbles) and functional (the person cannot get to the toilet in time, for example because of poor mobility or confusion). It is common in older adults but is never just "normal aging".
For the nurse
Offer the toilet on a regular schedule, keep the call light and walking aids in reach, and clean and dry the skin quickly after each episode with a barrier cream to protect it. Teach pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises for stress incontinence.
In a chart
"Incontinent of urine twice overnight; skin intact; toileting every 2 hours started."
At a glance
| Spanish | incontinencia |
|---|---|
| Also written | incontinent |
Related terms
urinary retention
Being unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.
bladder
The hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.
urinary
Having to do with urine or with the organs that make, store and pass urine.