Word parts
What it means
To empty the bladderBLAD-erThe hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.cyst/o bladder (as in cystitis)Full entry through the urethrayoo-REE-thruhThe tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.Full entry . Nurses and charts also say "void", and the formal noun is micturition. Problems nurses describe include urinating often (frequency), a sudden strong need (urgency), trouble starting (hesitancy), pain or burning (dysuriadis-YOOR-ee-uhPain, burning or discomfort when passing urine.dys- painful, difficultur/o urine-ia conditionFull entry ), getting up at night to urinate (nocturianok-TOOR-ee-uhWaking up at night to urinate, more than once or more than is usual for the person.noct/i nightur/o urine-ia conditionFull entry ), leaking (incontinencein-KON-tih-nensLoss of control over the bladder or bowel, so urine or stool leaks out without the person meaning it to.in- notcontin/o to hold back-ence state ofFull entry ) and being unable to pass urine (urinary retentionYUR-ih-nair-ee rih-TEN-shunBeing unable to empty the bladder completely, or at all.Full entry ).
For the nurse
Ask how often, how much, the color and odor, and about any pain or leaking. Offer the toilet on a schedule to clients at risk of falls or incontinence, and give privacy. Report a client who cannot urinate.
At a glance
| Everyday words | pee, pass water |
|---|---|
| Spanish | orinar; micción (urination) |
| Also written | urinates, urinated, urinating, urination |
Related terms
incontinence
Loss of control over the bladder or bowel, so urine or stool leaks out without the person meaning it to.
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.
urine output
The amount of urine a person passes over a set time, measured in milliliters.
nocturia
Waking up at night to urinate, more than once or more than is usual for the person.
ur/o
A word part that means urine or the urinary tract.
voiding
Passing urine; emptying the bladder.