Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) and Kidney Infections
Key Concepts
- UTI (Urinary Tract Infection): Typically occurs in the urethra and bladder.
- Cystitis: Refers to a bladder infection.
- Pyelonephritis: A serious kidney infection that can result if a bladder infection migrates to the kidneys.
Signs and Symptoms
- General Infection Symptoms: Fever, dysuria (painful or difficult urination), burning sensation during urination, urinary frequency (constant feeling of needing to void).
Diagnostics
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Urinary Analysis (UA):
- Cloudy and smelly urine.
- Presence of white blood cells (WBCs), indicating infection.
- Nitrites: Indicates a kidney infection.
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Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test:
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10,000 organisms/ml indicates a UTI.
- <10,000 organisms/ml is considered normal.
- Key Tip: Always take cultures first, then administer antibiotics.
NCLEX Tips
- Assessment First, Intervention Second: Always assess before intervening.
Example Questions
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Cloudy Urine Specimen:
- Question: A patient reports dysuria and urinary frequency. Which test does the nurse anticipate?
- Answer: Urine culture.
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Midstream Urine Specimen:
- Question: A client collected a midstream urine specimen 2 hours prior and left it in the bathroom. What is the nurse’s priority action?
- Answer: Discard the specimen and obtain a new one.
Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)
- Signs and Symptoms: Similar to UTI but more severe.
- Key Symptom: Costovertebral tenderness (dull flank pain extending toward the belly button, not the groin area).
- Differentiation: Compared to kidney stones, which cause excruciating sharp pain.
- Example: "A patient with a temperature of 102.5°F, grabbing her left side and complaining of dull pain, with concentrated and cloudy urine specimen."
First Action
- Obtain blood and urine cultures.
Conclusion
- Next Steps: Take the quiz and download study guides.
- Resources: Access full video and quiz bank for a free trial.
- Acknowledgments: Thanks to the team of experts.
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