What action should a nurse instruct a client with urinary incontinence to help trigger the urge to urinate?

Running water in the sink prior to toileting can create a sensory association that may help trigger the urge to urinate for someone experiencing urinary incontinence. The sound of running water can stimulate the bladder and encourage the client to feel the need to void. This technique uses a common environmental cue that many people instinctively respond to when they need to use the bathroom.

While pelvic floor exercises are beneficial for strengthening the muscles involved in urination, they do not directly trigger the immediate urge to urinate. Deep breathing exercises can help with relaxation and reduce anxiety but do not have a direct connection to bladder stimulation. Drinking water regularly is important for hydration but might not necessarily lead to an immediate urge to urinate without the additional sensory stimulus of running water. Thus, instructing the client to run water in the sink prior to toileting effectively harnesses a practical and sensory cue to help address their incontinence.