lOMoARcPSD|59750855
NSG 3850 Unit 6 Study Guide
Pathophysiology For Nurses II (Galen College of Nursing)
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
Unit 6 Study Guide: Alterations in Genitourinary Elimination
1. Urinary Incontinence
(Covered in Chapter 29: Disorders of the Lower Urinary Tract)
Definition:
• Involuntary loss of urine.
Pathophysiology/Pathogenesis:
• Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI): Caused by an
overactive detrusor muscle that contracts involuntarily. Can
be due to aging, bladder infections, bladder outlet
obstruction (e.g., prostate enlargement), or CNS conditions
(stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis) affecting bladder
contraction inhibitory pathways. Idiopathic in some cases.
• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Occurs with increased
intraabdominal pressure (e.g., lifting, coughing, sneezing).
Results from loss of pelvic muscle/fascial support of the
bladder and urethra, disrupting the normal angle between
the bladder and posterior urethra and reducing urethral
closure forces. Decreased estrogen in menopause (reducing
urethral closing pressure) and age-related loss of pelvic floor
muscle fibers are contributors.
• Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI): Combination of stress
and urge incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence: Bladder becomes so full it leaks.
More common in men, often due to an obstructed urethra
(e.g., enlarged prostate).
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
• Functional Incontinence: Due to physical or environmental
limitations preventing timely toilet access, despite a normally
functioning urinary system.
• Transient Incontinence: Sudden onset due to potentially
reversible conditions (e.g., UTIs, constipation).
Etiology:
• Varies by type (see Pathophysiology/Pathogenesis).
Risk Factors:
• Immobility
• Impaired cognition
• Certain medications (e.g., diuretics)
• Morbid obesity
• Smoking
• Fecal impaction
• Delirium
• Environmental barriers
• High-impact physical activities
• Estrogen depletion
• Low fluid intake
• Pelvic muscle weakness
• Childhood nocturnal enuresis
• Pregnancy, vaginal delivery,1 episiotomy
• UTIs
• Diabetes mellitus/insipidus
NSG 3850 Unit 6 Study Guide
Pathophysiology For Nurses II (Galen College of Nursing)
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
Unit 6 Study Guide: Alterations in Genitourinary Elimination
1. Urinary Incontinence
(Covered in Chapter 29: Disorders of the Lower Urinary Tract)
Definition:
• Involuntary loss of urine.
Pathophysiology/Pathogenesis:
• Urgency Urinary Incontinence (UUI): Caused by an
overactive detrusor muscle that contracts involuntarily. Can
be due to aging, bladder infections, bladder outlet
obstruction (e.g., prostate enlargement), or CNS conditions
(stroke, Parkinson's, multiple sclerosis) affecting bladder
contraction inhibitory pathways. Idiopathic in some cases.
• Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI): Occurs with increased
intraabdominal pressure (e.g., lifting, coughing, sneezing).
Results from loss of pelvic muscle/fascial support of the
bladder and urethra, disrupting the normal angle between
the bladder and posterior urethra and reducing urethral
closure forces. Decreased estrogen in menopause (reducing
urethral closing pressure) and age-related loss of pelvic floor
muscle fibers are contributors.
• Mixed Urinary Incontinence (MUI): Combination of stress
and urge incontinence.
• Overflow Incontinence: Bladder becomes so full it leaks.
More common in men, often due to an obstructed urethra
(e.g., enlarged prostate).
, lOMoARcPSD|59750855
• Functional Incontinence: Due to physical or environmental
limitations preventing timely toilet access, despite a normally
functioning urinary system.
• Transient Incontinence: Sudden onset due to potentially
reversible conditions (e.g., UTIs, constipation).
Etiology:
• Varies by type (see Pathophysiology/Pathogenesis).
Risk Factors:
• Immobility
• Impaired cognition
• Certain medications (e.g., diuretics)
• Morbid obesity
• Smoking
• Fecal impaction
• Delirium
• Environmental barriers
• High-impact physical activities
• Estrogen depletion
• Low fluid intake
• Pelvic muscle weakness
• Childhood nocturnal enuresis
• Pregnancy, vaginal delivery,1 episiotomy
• UTIs
• Diabetes mellitus/insipidus
