Abstract
PURPOSE
To substantiate the nursing diagnosis of mixed incontinence and demonstrate the need for its acceptance.
METHODS
Interviews with 148 women with complaints of urinary incontinence. Initial diagnoses were identified and these cases later discussed with a specialist in nursing diagnosis in order to reach a consensus.
FINDINGS
Fifty women (34%) had stress urinary incontinence, 13 (9%) had urge incontinence, and 85 (57%) presented with characteristics specific to two types of incontinence (i.e., mixed incontinence). The age range of the women who presented mixed incontinence was 26–85 years (mean age: 49.16 ± 12.02 years); all reported stress urinary loss and a perception of urinary urgency. More than 50% of the women reported nocturia, increased urinary frequency, dribbling with increased abdominal pressure, inability to stop or start miction, inability to reach toilet in time, and inability to completely empty bladder.
DISCUSSION
The high frequency of mixed incontinence (57%) in this study may be a function of the complexity of these cases.
CONCLUSIONS
The evidence found in medical and nursing literature indicates the need to include mixed incontinence as a nursing diagnosis. It is considered to be quite frequent in women with urinary incontinence and is generally more frequent than urge incontinence. Patients may receive inadequate treatment if this diagnosis is not recognized.
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