The bladder never empties fully and small amounts of urine leak continuously.

The bladder never empties fully and small amounts of urine leak continuously.

• A. Urge incontinence
• B. Overflow incontinence
• C. Functional incontinence
• D. Urinary retention

Answer: (B)

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, so urine builds up and gradually leaks out in small amounts. This fits the scenario of a bladder that is never fully emptied and leaks continuously, because the overdistended bladder involuntarily dribbles as it tries to relieve the built-up pressure. The underlying issue is urinary retention with a high residual volume, which is characteristic of overflow. Urge incontinence involves a sudden, strong urge to void followed by leakage, not a steady dribble from incomplete emptying. Functional incontinence results from external factors (like mobility or cognitive issues) preventing timely bathroom use, rather than a bladder that cannot empty. Urinary retention describes an inability to void and retention without the ongoing leakage pattern described.

Overflow incontinence occurs when the bladder doesn’t empty completely, so urine builds up and gradually leaks out in small amounts. This fits the scenario of a bladder that is never fully emptied and leaks continuously, because the overdistended bladder involuntarily dribbles as it tries to relieve the built-up pressure. The underlying issue is urinary retention with a high residual volume, which is characteristic of overflow.

Urge incontinence involves a sudden, strong urge to void followed by leakage, not a steady dribble from incomplete emptying. Functional incontinence results from external factors (like mobility or cognitive issues) preventing timely bathroom use, rather than a bladder that cannot empty. Urinary retention describes an inability to void and retention without the ongoing leakage pattern described.