The nurse is caring for a 5-year-old who has frequent involuntary urination at night. The patient is diagnosed with nocturnal enuresis. What is the most likely cause?
Explanation
•In young children, nocturnal enuresis is primarily a problem of delayed or incomplete neuromuscular maturation of the bladder. The condition is benign and self-limiting. Up to 20% of 5-year-olds have nocturnal enuresis.
•Incorrect: UTIs may be suspected as the cause of enuresis after a child is old enough to control the bladder, but at this age, it is not expected that all children have mature badders.
•Incorrect: Psychological stress may cause enuresis, but it is not the leading cause.
•Incorrect: Vesicoureteral reflux is the reversal of urine flow back into the kidneys. This generally does not cause enuresis.