CAUTI Flashcards
Q: What is catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)?
A: CAUTI is a urinary tract infection in the presence of an indwelling urinary catheter or after the recent removal of the catheter, typically within the last 48 hours.
Q: How can the risk of CAUTI be decreased?
A: Avoid using urinary catheters if possible and remove them as soon as they are no longer needed.
Q: What are the most common pathogens causing CAUTI?
A: Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Q: What is the difference between symptomatic UTI (SUTI) and asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in CAUTI?
A: SUTI involves symptoms, while ASB is the presence of pathogens in urine without symptoms.
Q: What is asymptomatic bacteremic urinary tract infection (ABUTI)?
A: ABUTI is when pathogens are found in both urine and blood without UTI symptoms.
Q: What should be done if CAUTI is suspected?
A: Obtain a focused history and physical examination, and order labs such as CBC, CMP, and urinalysis.
Q: What lab findings indicate asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB)?
A: Positive urine cultures for pathogens without UTI symptoms and physical exam findings.
Q: How is catheter-associated ABUTI diagnosed?
A: Positive blood and urine cultures for the same pathogen (they match).
Q: What does it mean if urine and blood cultures come back negative or grow different pathogens?
A: Consider an alternative diagnosis.
Q: What should be done if both urine and blood cultures are positive for the same pathogen?
A: Start tailored antibiotics and remove or replace the indwelling catheter if indicated.
Q: When should antibiotics be started for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB)?
A: If the patient is pregnant, has scheduled urologic intervention, or had a renal transplantation within the past 3 months.
Q: What symptoms and history are associated with catheter-associated SUTI?
A: Fever, suprapubic discomfort, dysuria, urinary frequency and urgency, and a history of a current or recently removed urinary catheter.
Q: What physical exam findings might indicate SUTI?
A: Suprapubic and costovertebral angle tenderness, and altered mental status in severe cases.
Q: What lab findings are typical in SUTI?
A: Elevated white blood cell count, pyuria, and bacteriuria.
Q: What is the initial treatment for suspected SUTI?
A: Start empiric antibiotics and obtain a urine sample for culture, remove or replace the indwelling catheter if indicated.
