What it means
Holding on to something that should leave the body. urinary retentionYUR-ih-nair-ee rih-TEN-shunBeing unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.Full entry means the bladder does not empty fully. Fluid retention means the body keeps extra water, which shows as swelling (edemaih-DEE-muhSwelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.Full entry ) or weight gain. Carbon dioxide retention means the lungs do not breathe out enough carbon dioxide. In teaching, retention also means how much of the lesson a client remembers.
For the nurse
For urinary retention, ask when the client last passed urine, feel for a full bladder above the pubic bone and use a bladder scanner if ordered. For fluid retention, weigh the client daily and check the ankles, legs and lower back for swelling.
In a chart
"Bladder scan 650 mL after voiding; urinary retention reported to provider."
At a glance
| Spanish | retención |
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Related terms
edema
Swelling caused by extra fluid trapped in the body's tissues.
urinary retention
Being unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.
overload
More of something than the body can handle; in nursing, most often too much fluid in the circulation.