Urinary incontinence is defined as

Urinary incontinence is defined as

• A. Painful urination
• B. Inability to start urination
• C. Involuntary leakage of urine
• D. Frequent nighttime urination

Answer: (C)

Incontinence means involuntary leakage of urine. This is the defining symptom and what distinguishes it from other urinary symptoms. Painful urination, or dysuria, points to irritation or infection rather than a failure to control urination. Inability to start urination describes urinary retention or hesitancy, not leakage. Frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia, refers to waking to void, which can occur for many reasons and does not define leakage. So the clear concept is that urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine.

Incontinence means involuntary leakage of urine. This is the defining symptom and what distinguishes it from other urinary symptoms. Painful urination, or dysuria, points to irritation or infection rather than a failure to control urination. Inability to start urination describes urinary retention or hesitancy, not leakage. Frequent nighttime urination, or nocturia, refers to waking to void, which can occur for many reasons and does not define leakage. So the clear concept is that urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine.