What diagnostic step is used to evaluate suspected urinary retention?

What diagnostic step is used to evaluate suspected urinary retention?

• A. Post-void residual measurement and bladder ultrasound
• B. CT abdomen without contrast
• C. Urine culture only
• D. Random blood glucose

Answer: (A)

Measuring post-void residual urine with a bladder scan is the diagnostic step used to evaluate suspected urinary retention. After a patient urinates, an ultrasound probe estimates how much urine remains in the bladder. This directly shows whether the bladder is emptying incompletely, which distinguishes true urinary retention or obstruction from normal voiding. A bladder scan is quick, noninvasive, and can be done in the clinic or emergency setting to quantify residual volume. A high residual urine amount indicates impaired emptying and prompts further evaluation for causes such as bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor underactivity, or neurologic factors, guiding management like further urology workup or treatment of an underlying cause. Other options don’t assess the core issue of emptying. CT abdomen without contrast might look for stones or other issues but isn’t the primary test to gauge whether the bladder is retaining urine. A urine culture checks for infection, not residual volume. Random blood glucose isn’t used to evaluate urinary retention.

Measuring post-void residual urine with a bladder scan is the diagnostic step used to evaluate suspected urinary retention. After a patient urinates, an ultrasound probe estimates how much urine remains in the bladder. This directly shows whether the bladder is emptying incompletely, which distinguishes true urinary retention or obstruction from normal voiding.

A bladder scan is quick, noninvasive, and can be done in the clinic or emergency setting to quantify residual volume. A high residual urine amount indicates impaired emptying and prompts further evaluation for causes such as bladder outlet obstruction, detrusor underactivity, or neurologic factors, guiding management like further urology workup or treatment of an underlying cause.

Other options don’t assess the core issue of emptying. CT abdomen without contrast might look for stones or other issues but isn’t the primary test to gauge whether the bladder is retaining urine. A urine culture checks for infection, not residual volume. Random blood glucose isn’t used to evaluate urinary retention.