Which symptom is associated with neurogenic bladder?

• A. Urinary incontinence
• B. Dysuria
• C. Urinary retention
• D. Frequent UTIs

Answer: (C)

Neurogenic bladder results from disruption of neural pathways that coordinate the bladder’s storage and emptying functions. When the neural control of the detrusor muscle is impaired, the bladder may not contract effectively or it may not coordinate properly with the urethral sphincter, leading to poor emptying. That makes urinary retention a common and direct manifestation of neurogenic voiding dysfunction: the bladder fills, but the detrusor can’t generate a strong enough contraction to empty it, resulting in retention and potential overflow.

Dysuria is pain on urination and is more typically seen with infections, stones, or irritation rather than a primary feature of neurogenic bladder. Frequent UTIs can occur secondary to bladder stasis from retention, but they are not the defining symptom. Urinary incontinence can occur with some patterns of neurogenic bladder (for example, with a spastic detrusor), but the hallmark associated symptom reflecting impaired voiding is retention.