In a patient with overflow incontinence, which statement best describes the pattern?

In a patient with overflow incontinence, which statement best describes the pattern?

• A. Leakage occurs with cough
• B. Leakage occurs after a strong urge
• C. Leakage occurs due to incomplete emptying and high residual
• D. Leakage only with physical activity

Answer: (C)

Overflow incontinence is driven by the bladder not emptying completely, so urine remains (high post-void residual) and the bladder overfills until leakage occurs. This leads to leakage that happens because the bladder is overdistended from incomplete emptying, often described as a small continuous dribble or spurts. It stands in contrast to leakage with coughing or exertion (stress incontinence) or leakage after a strong urge (urge incontinence). So the pattern best describing overflow incontinence is leakage due to incomplete emptying and high residual.

Overflow incontinence is driven by the bladder not emptying completely, so urine remains (high post-void residual) and the bladder overfills until leakage occurs. This leads to leakage that happens because the bladder is overdistended from incomplete emptying, often described as a small continuous dribble or spurts. It stands in contrast to leakage with coughing or exertion (stress incontinence) or leakage after a strong urge (urge incontinence). So the pattern best describing overflow incontinence is leakage due to incomplete emptying and high residual.