Urinary retention is characterized by which condition?

Urinary retention is specifically characterized by the inability to properly empty the bladder. This condition occurs when the bladder does not empty completely, leading to discomfort and the potential for other complications, such as urinary tract infections or bladder damage. In urinary retention, a person may feel the need to urinate but is unable to do so effectively, which often results in a feeling of fullness or pressure in the lower abdomen.

In contrast, excessive urination, frequent urination, and painful urination refer to different urinary conditions. Excessive urination, or polyuria, typically involves producing an unusually large volume of urine. Frequent urination, known as urinary frequency, refers to the need to urinate more often than usual, which can be due to various factors such as bladder irritation or underlying medical conditions. Painful urination, or dysuria, involves discomfort or pain during urination, often associated with infections or inflammation. Thus, the defining characteristic of urinary retention is clearly the inability to completely empty the bladder.