A female client has a urinary tract infection. Which teaching points by the nurse should be helpful to the client? Select all that apply.
A. Limit fluids to avoid the burning sensation on urination.
B. Review symptoms of UTI with the client.
C. Wipe the perineal area from back to front.
D. Wear cotton underclothes.
E. Take baths rather than showers.
Correct Answer: B, D
Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection of the bladder and associated structures. These are patients with no structural abnormality and no comorbidities, such as diabetes, immunocompromised, or pregnant. Uncomplicated UTI is also known as cystitis or lower UTI. Forty percent of women in the United States will develop a UTI during their lifetime, making it one of the most common infections in women. UTI is uncommon in circumcised males, and by definition, any male UTI is considered complicated.
Option A: Increased fluids decrease concentration and irritation. An uncomplicated UTI usually only involves the bladder. When the bacteria invade the bladder mucosal wall, cystitis is produced. The majority of organisms causing a UTI are enteric coliforms that usually inhabit the periurethral vaginal introitus. These organisms ascend into the bladder and cause a UTI.
Option B: Reviewing the symptoms of UTI with the client validates the diagnosis. Symptoms of uncomplicated UTI are pain on urination (dysuria), frequent urination (frequency), inability to start the urine stream (hesitation), sudden onset of the need to urinate (urgency), and blood in the urine (hematuria). Usually, patients with uncomplicated UTI do not have fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, or back pain, which are signs of kidney involvement or upper tract disease/pyelonephritis.
Option C: The client should wipe the perineal area from front to back to prevent the spread of bacteria from the rectal area to the urethra. Sexual intercourse is a common cause of a UTI as it promotes the migration of bacteria into the bladder. People who frequently void and empty the bladder have a much lower risk of a UTI.
Option D: Cotton underwear promotes appropriate exposure to air, resulting in decreased bacterial growth. Urine is an ideal medium for bacterial growth; factors that make it unfavorable for bacterial growth include a pH of less than 5, presence of organic acids, and high levels of urea. Frequent urination is also known to decrease the risk of UTI.
Option E: Showers reduce exposure of the area to bacteria. Bacteria that cause UTI have adhesins on their surface which allow the organism to attach to the mucosal surface. In addition, a short urethra also makes it easier for the uropathogen to invade the urinary tract.