Infections of the Urinary Tract
Which conditions may put a patient at risk for developing a fungal urinary tract infection (UTI)? -
Answer- AIDS diagnosis
AIDS leads to compromised immunity and can increase the risk for fungal UTI.
Renal failure
Renal failure increases the risk for fungal UTI because of impaired immunity and prophylactic
antibiotic therapy.
Chronic bacterial infections
Chronic bacterial infections can lead to fungal UTI because repeated antibiotic therapy kills normal
flora, allowing fungi to overgrow.
Which infections of the urinary tract may manifest systemically as symptoms of fever, chills, and
flank pain? - Answer- Upper urinary tract infection (UTI)
Upper UTIs involve the kidneys and often present with fevers, chills and flank pain.
Acute pyelonephritis
Acute pyelonephritis is often caused by infection and is accompanied by fever, chills, and flank
pain.
Which urinary symptoms would indicate to the nurse that a urinary tract infection (UTI) has
progressed to renal failure? - Answer- Oliguria
Oliguria is decreased production of urine and can indicate renal failure.
Flank pain
Flank pain would indicate that damage to the kidneys has occurred and the UTI may have
progressed to renal failure.
The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who complains of cloudy urine. Urinalysis indicates a
bacteria count of 5 × 102 CFU/mL. The nurse understands that which treatment is most
appropriate for this patient? - Answer- Oral nitrofurantoin therapy
Oral antibiotics should be administered to patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
A patient presents with a fever of 102° F, fatigue, nausea, and urinary urgency. On percussion
during physical examination, the nurse notes costovertebral tenderness on the left side. Urinalysis
indicates bacteriuria. Which provider order would the nurse implement first? - Answer- Administer
intravenous (IV) ampicillin.
The patient's symptoms indicate pyelonephritis. The nurse would administer a broad-spectrum IV
antibiotic.
A patient presents with urinary pain and urgency but no systemic symptoms. Urinalysis indicates a
bacteria count of 103 CFU/mL. The patient's chart indicates no coexisting obstruction or health
concern. However, the patient has been seen for urinary tract infections (UTIs) five times in the
last year. Which antibiotic should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe for this patient? -
Answer- Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat complicated UTIs and for patients with frequently recurring UTIs.
Which conditions may put a patient at risk for developing a fungal urinary tract infection (UTI)? -
Answer- AIDS diagnosis
AIDS leads to compromised immunity and can increase the risk for fungal UTI.
Renal failure
Renal failure increases the risk for fungal UTI because of impaired immunity and prophylactic
antibiotic therapy.
Chronic bacterial infections
Chronic bacterial infections can lead to fungal UTI because repeated antibiotic therapy kills normal
flora, allowing fungi to overgrow.
Which infections of the urinary tract may manifest systemically as symptoms of fever, chills, and
flank pain? - Answer- Upper urinary tract infection (UTI)
Upper UTIs involve the kidneys and often present with fevers, chills and flank pain.
Acute pyelonephritis
Acute pyelonephritis is often caused by infection and is accompanied by fever, chills, and flank
pain.
Which urinary symptoms would indicate to the nurse that a urinary tract infection (UTI) has
progressed to renal failure? - Answer- Oliguria
Oliguria is decreased production of urine and can indicate renal failure.
Flank pain
Flank pain would indicate that damage to the kidneys has occurred and the UTI may have
progressed to renal failure.
The nurse is caring for an older adult patient who complains of cloudy urine. Urinalysis indicates a
bacteria count of 5 × 102 CFU/mL. The nurse understands that which treatment is most
appropriate for this patient? - Answer- Oral nitrofurantoin therapy
Oral antibiotics should be administered to patients with uncomplicated urinary tract infections.
A patient presents with a fever of 102° F, fatigue, nausea, and urinary urgency. On percussion
during physical examination, the nurse notes costovertebral tenderness on the left side. Urinalysis
indicates bacteriuria. Which provider order would the nurse implement first? - Answer- Administer
intravenous (IV) ampicillin.
The patient's symptoms indicate pyelonephritis. The nurse would administer a broad-spectrum IV
antibiotic.
A patient presents with urinary pain and urgency but no systemic symptoms. Urinalysis indicates a
bacteria count of 103 CFU/mL. The patient's chart indicates no coexisting obstruction or health
concern. However, the patient has been seen for urinary tract infections (UTIs) five times in the
last year. Which antibiotic should the nurse expect the provider to prescribe for this patient? -
Answer- Ciprofloxacin
Ciprofloxacin is used to treat complicated UTIs and for patients with frequently recurring UTIs.
