An elderly female patient tells the nurse that she is having trouble "holding her water" and doesn't want to drink fluids anymore. How should the nurse interpret this statement?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The phrase "holding her water" is often used to describe difficulty controlling urinary incontinence. The patient's reluctance to drink fluids may be due to fear of hastening the need to urinate.

An Elderly Female Patient Tells the Nurse That She Is