Patient S is a sexually active adolescent. Which of the following instructions would be included in the preventive teaching plan about urinary tract infections?
A. Drinking acidic juices
B. Avoiding urinating before intercourse
C. Wearing nylon underwear
D. Wiping back to front
Correct Answer: A. Drinking acidic juices
Drinking acidic juices, such as cranberry juice, helps keep the urine at its desired pH and reduces the chance of infection. Pure cranberry juice, cranberry extract, or cranberry supplements may help prevent repeated UTIs in women, but the benefit is small. It helps about as much as taking antibiotics to prevent another UTI.
Option B: Many health authorities, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommend urinating after sex to prevent UTIs. Doing so may help flush away bacteria that are close to the urethra and prevent them from entering the urinary tract.
Option C: Synthetic fabrics trap moisture and create the perfect breeding ground for infection. If the patient is prone to UTIs, she should wear loose-fitting bottoms that allow air to circulate around the vagina. At night, the patient can wear loose-fitting boxers or shorts.
Option D: After urinating, tilt the body forward and, reaching between the buttocks, start wiping from the front of the vagina to the back. Doing so prevents the introduction of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.