Certified Rehabilitation Registered Nurse (CRRN) Practice Exam

In patients experiencing functional incontinence, what is a common cause?

1. Mental confusion

2. Environmental barriers

3. Bladder overactivity

4. Age-related muscle loss

The correct answer is: Environmental barriers

In patients experiencing functional incontinence, a common cause is environmental barriers. This refers to conditions in the environment that impede a patient’s ability to reach the bathroom in time. For instance, obstacles such as poorly designed bathrooms, lack of mobility aids, or being in a nursing facility that is not accommodating can significantly impact the patient's ability to manage their urination effectively. Functional incontinence is not related to the physiological functions of the bladder but rather to the individual’s ability to respond appropriately to the urge to urinate due to these barriers. Addressing environmental factors—such as ensuring easy access to bathrooms and modifying spaces—can often alleviate the issues associated with functional incontinence. In contrast, while mental confusion, bladder overactivity, and age-related muscle loss can contribute to other types of incontinence, they are not the primary focus for functional incontinence where environmental aspects play a more crucial role. Understanding this distinction helps in providing targeted interventions for patients affected by functional incontinence.