Urinary retention is defined as which of the following?

• A. Increased urination
• B. Painful urination
• C. Urinary urgency
• D. Inability to empty the bladder

Answer: (D)

Inability to empty the bladder is urinary retention. This means urine remains in the bladder even though there is a need to void, and starting or maintaining a urine stream is difficult or impossible. This definition centers on the failure to release urine from the bladder, not on producing more urine, painful urination, or a sudden urge to go. The other symptoms describe different urinary issues: producing more urine than normal, pain with urination, or the urge to urinate without a problem actually voiding. In retention, the bladder becomes distended and urine flow is reduced or cut off, which can be due to obstruction (like an enlarged prostate), nerve or muscle problems, or medications that impair detrusor contraction. Acute retention is a medical emergency requiring prompt relief, usually with catheterization, while chronic retention involves ongoing difficulty emptying and may require treatment of the underlying cause and possibly intermittent or long-term catheter use.