Inability to empty the bladder completely is termed?

• A. Urinary incontinence
• B. Oliguria
• C. Urinary retention
• D. Dysuria

Answer: (C)

This item tests understanding of disorders related to bladder emptying. Urinary retention is the inability to completely empty the bladder, leaving residual urine. It can be acute or chronic and can result from blockage (such as an enlarged prostate), nerve or muscle problems that prevent the bladder from contracting, or medications that slow bladder activity. This sets it apart from urinary incontinence, which is the involuntary leakage of urine; oliguria, which means abnormally low urine production by the kidneys rather than a failure to empty the bladder; and dysuria, which is painful or difficult urination but not necessarily the complete inability to empty the bladder.