CCCN PRACTICE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS | 2026
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
The continence nurse is consulted for urinary incontinence in an 80 year old
female with a history of dementia, coronary artery disease, and hypertension
who is admitted with urosepsis. The family reports she has never been
incontinent of urine or stool prior to admission. When preparing to educate the
patient and family, the continence nurse suspects her incontinence is due to:
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Functional incontinence.
D. Transient incontinence Answer - D. Transient incontinence
Urinary tract infection is a common cause of acute or transient incontinence.
Acute/transient UI has an abrupt onset, typically lasts less than 6 months, is
usually related to some reversible condition, and, when the condition is
corrected, the incontinence is often resolved
The continence nurse is evaluating an older patient with a history of diabetes
mellitus (DM). The nurse knows that DM can increase the risk of incontinence.
Which of the following types of voiding disorders/incontinence can occur as a
result of diabetes associated neuropathy?
A. Retention
B. Stress
C. Mixed
D. Urge Answer - A. Retention
,Long standing diabetes can cause autonomic neuropathy resulting in impaired
detrusor contractions. This places the patient at risk for chronic urinary
retention
A continence nurse is advising a patient on what to expect during the initial
exam for a visit related to suspected stress incontinence. Which of the
following assessments is NOT usually included upon initial examination?
A. Pelvic floor contractility and endurance
B. Exam of perineum and external genitalia
C. Eval of physical dexterity/mobility
D. Urine culture/complete history Answer - D. Urine culture and complete
history
A urine culture would not be part of the routine initial exam unless indicated by
patient presentation. A urinalysis is typically performed by clean catch void.
Pelvic floor evaluation, examination of external anatomy, and evaluation of
mobility and dexterity are important parts of the initial exam
Which patient would the continence nurse place at higher risk for fecal
incontinence related to rectal capacity and compliance?
A. Pt with inflammatory bowel disease
B. Pt experiencing cerebrocortical dysfunction
C. Pt w/malabsorption syndrome
D. Pt who is s/p partial colectomy Answer - A. Pt w/inflammatory bowel
disease
,Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) can cause
the rectum to become fibrotic and inflamed, resulting in the inability of the
rectum to accommodate any volume of stool. This is associated with severe
urgency and urge incontinence. Other causes of rectal fibrosis and
inflammation include proctocolitis and damage from radiation treatments
The continence nurse is consulted on a patient complaining of constipation.
The patient reports that he has not had a bowel movement in 3 days since "I
was admitted for my heart and they restricted my fluids." Which of the
following medications should be discontinued due to the possibility of
complications?
A. Bulk laxatives
B. Osmotic agents
C. Stimulant laxatives
D. Suppositories Answer - A. Bulk laxatives
Bulk laxatives work by adding bulk to the stool which attracts water and softens
the stool. Bulk laxatives require adequate fluid intake, or the risk of blockage is
increased. The Pt described has a fluid restricted diet so bulk laxatives would
not be appropriate at this time.
An 18 year old female presents to the continence clinic. She reveals that she
has difficulty holding urine when she runs the mile. She is embarrassed to
discuss this issue with her coach in fear that he will take her off of the team.
Which of the following would be an appropriate course of action for the
continence nurse?
A. This is a common problem women encounter. As long as you don't leak urine
at other times, there is nothing to worry about."
, B. Suggest that she decrease her fluid intake, especially caffeinated beverages,
before a race and wear incontinence pads during races.
C. Inform the patient that she could benefit from losing weight and suggest
that she see a sports nutritionist.
D. Instruct the patient how to regularly contract the pelvic floor muscles, hold
for 10 seconds, and then relax for 10 seconds. Answer - D. Instruct pt how to
regularly contract pelvic floor muscles, hold for 10secs, relax for 10secs.
Stress incontinence is associated with activities that increase intraabdominal
pressure, such as running. Women with stress incontinence may have a weak
pelvic floor muscle which contributes to leakage. Pelvic floor muscle exercises
can increase muscle tone and decrease leakage during activities. Exercises
should be performed by tightening the pelvic floor muscle, holding for a goal of
10 seconds, and then resting for 10 seconds
Which of the following laboratory tests are the MOST appropriate for assessing
a patient with symptoms of polyuria, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN.
B. Potassium and magnesium
C. Hgb A1C and fasting blood glucose
D. Complete blood count w/platelets Answer - C. Hgb A1C and fasting blood
glucose
A patient presenting with polyuria, frequency, and urgency may have
undiagnosed or undertreated type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with DM
have a 30-70% increased risk for urinary incontinence and should be under the
care of a physician for a comprehensive diabetic treatment program
UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTION
The continence nurse is consulted for urinary incontinence in an 80 year old
female with a history of dementia, coronary artery disease, and hypertension
who is admitted with urosepsis. The family reports she has never been
incontinent of urine or stool prior to admission. When preparing to educate the
patient and family, the continence nurse suspects her incontinence is due to:
A. Overflow incontinence
B. Urge incontinence
C. Functional incontinence.
D. Transient incontinence Answer - D. Transient incontinence
Urinary tract infection is a common cause of acute or transient incontinence.
Acute/transient UI has an abrupt onset, typically lasts less than 6 months, is
usually related to some reversible condition, and, when the condition is
corrected, the incontinence is often resolved
The continence nurse is evaluating an older patient with a history of diabetes
mellitus (DM). The nurse knows that DM can increase the risk of incontinence.
Which of the following types of voiding disorders/incontinence can occur as a
result of diabetes associated neuropathy?
A. Retention
B. Stress
C. Mixed
D. Urge Answer - A. Retention
,Long standing diabetes can cause autonomic neuropathy resulting in impaired
detrusor contractions. This places the patient at risk for chronic urinary
retention
A continence nurse is advising a patient on what to expect during the initial
exam for a visit related to suspected stress incontinence. Which of the
following assessments is NOT usually included upon initial examination?
A. Pelvic floor contractility and endurance
B. Exam of perineum and external genitalia
C. Eval of physical dexterity/mobility
D. Urine culture/complete history Answer - D. Urine culture and complete
history
A urine culture would not be part of the routine initial exam unless indicated by
patient presentation. A urinalysis is typically performed by clean catch void.
Pelvic floor evaluation, examination of external anatomy, and evaluation of
mobility and dexterity are important parts of the initial exam
Which patient would the continence nurse place at higher risk for fecal
incontinence related to rectal capacity and compliance?
A. Pt with inflammatory bowel disease
B. Pt experiencing cerebrocortical dysfunction
C. Pt w/malabsorption syndrome
D. Pt who is s/p partial colectomy Answer - A. Pt w/inflammatory bowel
disease
,Inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis) can cause
the rectum to become fibrotic and inflamed, resulting in the inability of the
rectum to accommodate any volume of stool. This is associated with severe
urgency and urge incontinence. Other causes of rectal fibrosis and
inflammation include proctocolitis and damage from radiation treatments
The continence nurse is consulted on a patient complaining of constipation.
The patient reports that he has not had a bowel movement in 3 days since "I
was admitted for my heart and they restricted my fluids." Which of the
following medications should be discontinued due to the possibility of
complications?
A. Bulk laxatives
B. Osmotic agents
C. Stimulant laxatives
D. Suppositories Answer - A. Bulk laxatives
Bulk laxatives work by adding bulk to the stool which attracts water and softens
the stool. Bulk laxatives require adequate fluid intake, or the risk of blockage is
increased. The Pt described has a fluid restricted diet so bulk laxatives would
not be appropriate at this time.
An 18 year old female presents to the continence clinic. She reveals that she
has difficulty holding urine when she runs the mile. She is embarrassed to
discuss this issue with her coach in fear that he will take her off of the team.
Which of the following would be an appropriate course of action for the
continence nurse?
A. This is a common problem women encounter. As long as you don't leak urine
at other times, there is nothing to worry about."
, B. Suggest that she decrease her fluid intake, especially caffeinated beverages,
before a race and wear incontinence pads during races.
C. Inform the patient that she could benefit from losing weight and suggest
that she see a sports nutritionist.
D. Instruct the patient how to regularly contract the pelvic floor muscles, hold
for 10 seconds, and then relax for 10 seconds. Answer - D. Instruct pt how to
regularly contract pelvic floor muscles, hold for 10secs, relax for 10secs.
Stress incontinence is associated with activities that increase intraabdominal
pressure, such as running. Women with stress incontinence may have a weak
pelvic floor muscle which contributes to leakage. Pelvic floor muscle exercises
can increase muscle tone and decrease leakage during activities. Exercises
should be performed by tightening the pelvic floor muscle, holding for a goal of
10 seconds, and then resting for 10 seconds
Which of the following laboratory tests are the MOST appropriate for assessing
a patient with symptoms of polyuria, urinary frequency, and urinary urgency?
A. Serum creatinine and BUN.
B. Potassium and magnesium
C. Hgb A1C and fasting blood glucose
D. Complete blood count w/platelets Answer - C. Hgb A1C and fasting blood
glucose
A patient presenting with polyuria, frequency, and urgency may have
undiagnosed or undertreated type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Patients with DM
have a 30-70% increased risk for urinary incontinence and should be under the
care of a physician for a comprehensive diabetic treatment program
