Incontinence

How it is used

Nurses assess and manage urinary and faecal incontinence, use pads and barrier creams and check the skin, as moisture raises the risk of pressure damage. The adjective is 'incontinent'. With patients, gentle wording is used: 'Have you had any accidents?' or 'Do you have trouble getting to the toilet in time?'

Example sentences

1. She's been incontinent of urine since the stroke, so we check her pad every two hours.

2. Incontinence can be embarrassing for patients, so offer help quietly and discreetly.

Common collocations

• urinary incontinence
• faecal incontinence
• incontinence pad
• incontinent of urine

Related terms

• pressure ulcerDamage to the skin and the tissue under it caused by long pressure, usually over bony areas such as the heels, hips or the base of the spine.
• urinary catheterA thin, flexible tube passed into the bladder, usually through the urethra, to drain urine into a bag.
• bedpanA flat container that a patient who cannot get out of bed sits on to pass urine or open their bowels.
• personal careHelp with the everyday tasks of looking after the body, such as washing, dressing, using the toilet, mouth care and shaving.

More terms: Basic Care and Mobility

• fall risk
• bed bath
• nil by mouth
• reposition
• mobilize
• hoist