What does a pad weight test measure and how is it interpreted?

• A. It measures urine leakage by weight gain (grams) over a fixed period, with mild 1–10 g, moderate 11–50 g, and severe >50 g.
• B. It measures urine color.
• C. It measures bladder capacity.
• D. It measures urine pH.

Answer: (A)

This test quantifies leakage by measuring how much urine has soaked into the pad over a fixed wear period. You weigh the pad before and after use; the difference in weight, given in grams, reflects the volume of urine leaked. The interpretation uses standard ranges: 1–10 g is mild leakage, 11–50 g is moderate, and more than 50 g is severe. This provides an objective, comparable measure of incontinence severity and helps monitor progress or response to treatment. It isn’t about color, bladder capacity, or urine pH—those are different assessments.