Which of the following is a primary objective of assessing post-void residual in older adults with incontinence?

• A. To determine need for nighttime supplementation
• B. To evaluate incomplete bladder emptying and risk of overflow
• C. To assess kidney function
• D. To measure bladder capacity

Answer: (B)

The main idea behind assessing post-void residual is to see whether the bladder is emptying completely after urination. In older adults with incontinence, leftover urine can indicate incomplete emptying, which raises the risk of overflow and bladder overdistension. Measuring how much urine remains (the residual) helps identify this problem and guides management, such as addressing obstruction or detrusor underactivity or deciding if intermittent catheterization is needed. This test isn’t about nighttime supplementation, kidney function, or bladder capacity. Kidney function is evaluated with blood tests, and bladder capacity refers to how much urine the bladder can hold before voiding, not how much remains afterward.