Mrs. Lewis seems embarrassed to explain why she came to the clinic today. Finally, she says, "Nurse, I just can't hold my water. For no reason at all, or especially if I cough, sometimes I just pee on myself." What medical term will the nurse write as Mrs. Lewis's symptom?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Incontinence is the medical term for the inability to control urine or feces. Mrs. Lewis is describing urinary incontinence, specifically stress urinary incontinence, which is the leakage of urine with activities such as coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Renal calculi are also known as kidney stones, cystitis is inflammation of the bladder, and nocturia is the need to wake up at night to urinate. None of these terms fit Mrs. Lewis's symptom as well as incontinence.

Mrs Lewis Seems Embarrassed to Explain Why She Came to the Clinic