Chapter 69: Care Of Pts With Urinary Problems Flashcards
Risk factors for infection
Several risk factors are associated with the occurrence of UTIs
ØObstruction (incomplete bladder emptying continuous pool of urine for bacteria to grow)
ØStones (calculi large can obstruct, rough surface irritates mucosa and bacteria can grow)
ØVesicouretheral reflux (bacteria laden urine backs up into ureters and kidneys risk of pyelonephritis)
ØDiabetes mellitus (excess glucose in urine medium for bacteria)
ØAlkaline or concentrated urine (promotes bacterial growth)
ØGender (women periuretheral, diaphragms, frequency of intercourse, new partner past year, bladder displacement after pregnancy
ØAge (urinary stasis incomplete bladder emptying large prostate, cystocele or prolapsed uterus in women, the use of anticholinergic drugs in older adults delays bladder emptying, fecal incontinence poor perineal hygiene, hypoestrogenism in older women affects cells of vagina and urethra making more susceptible to infection
ØSexual activity (Irritation of the perineum and urethra, spermicides alter vaginal pH, inadequate vaginal lubrication irritate urethra, women with bacterial vaginitis can introduce bacteria into man’s urethera
ØRecent use of antibiotics (antibiotics change the normal flora providing overgrowth)
Different locations of UTIs
Urethritis: urethra
Cystitis: bladder
Prostatitis
Pyelonephritis: kidneys
Cystitis
Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by irritation or, more commonly caused by infection from bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites moving up urinary tract from external urethra to bladder. Infectious cystitis is the most common of the UTIs.
ØCatheters: high risk factor in developing nosocomial cystitis. Within 48 hours of catheter insertion, bacterial colonization begins. About 50% of patients with indwelling catheters become infected within 1 week of catheter insertion.
Noninfectious cystitis is caused by irritation from chemicals or radiation. (Cytoxan, radiation, immunologic response as with SLE)
Interstitial cystitis is an inflammatory disease that has no known cause. Affects women more than men. UA negative. Pain & urgency
Infectious cystitis can lead to complications, including pyelonephritis and sepsis.
Urosepsis is the spread of the infection from the urinary tract to the blood stream and more common in older adults.
The most common cause of sepsis in hospitalized clients is a urinary tract infection. Ascending infections from cystitis with an indwelling catheter is a major source of such infections.
Health promotion
Health Promotion and Maintenance con’t.
Changes in fluid intake patterns, urinary elimination patterns, and hygiene patterns can help prevent or reduce cystitis in the general population.
Teach a minimum of fluid intake of 1.5 to 2.5 L daily unless fluid restriction for health issues, drink water and not sweet drinks
Avoid urinary stasis urinate every 3-4 hours, void after intercourse
Shower daily and clean perineal area with mild soap and water, before intercourse, avoid scented toilet tissue, lubricants, avoid vaginal washes
Manifestations UTI
The diagnosis of cystitis is based on history, physical exam, and laboratory data.
ØFrequency, urgency, and dysuria are the common signs and symptoms. Urine may be cloudy, foul smelling, or blood tinged.
ØClinical manifestations that may occur in the older adult may be something as vague as increasing mental confusion or frequent, unexplained falls, a sudden onset of incontinence or a worsening of incontinence , fever, tachycardia, tachypnea, and hypotension, even without any urinary symptoms, may be early sign of urosepsis, loss of appetite, nocturia, and dysuria are common symptoms.
Use standard precautions in the physical assessment and have patient empty bladder for urine specimen and palpation of bladder.
Cystitis Labs
Laboratory assessment for a UTI is a urinalysis performed on a clean-catch midstream specimen with testing for leukocyte esterase and nitrate. Routine UA needs 10ml
The combination of a positive leukocyte esterase and nitrate is 68% to 88% sensitive in the diagnosis of UTI.
A urine culture confirms the type of organism and the number of colonies and is indicated when the UTI is complicated or does not respond to usual therapy.
Occasionally the serum WBC count may be elevated, with the differential WBC count showing a “left shift.” This left shift indicates that the number of immature WBCs is increasing in response to the infection. The number of bands, or immature WBCs, is elevated. Left shift most often occurs with urosepsis and rarely occurs with uncomplicated cystitis, which is a local rather than a systemic infection.
Drugs for cystitis
Antibiotic therapy is most effective, especially for recurrent urinary tract infections, when the client takes the prescribed medication for the entire course and not just when symptoms are present.
Drugs used to treat bacteriuria and promote patient comfort include urinary antiseptics or antibiotics, analgesics, and antispasmodics decrease bladder spasm and promote bladder emptying)
Phenazopyridine discolors urine most commonly to a deep reddish orange. Many clients think they have blood in their urine when they see this. In addition, the urine can permanently stain clothing.
The client should use a second form of birth control because penicillin seems to reduce the effectiveness of estrogen-containing contraceptives.
Other therapy for cystitis
All four groups and more calories for the increased metabolism caused by infection.
Encourage to drink enough fluid to keep urine dilute if no fluid restrictions
Drink 50 mL of concentrated cranberry juice daily for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks to be effective
ØCranberry juice is an irritant to the bladder with interstitial cystitis and is to be avoided as well as caffeine, carbonated beverages, and tomato products increase bladder irritation
Comfort measures
Sitz bath two to three times a day for 20 minutes
Urethritis
Is an inflammation of urethra causing symptoms similar to UTI
In men, manifestations of urethritis are burning or difficulty with urination and a discharge from the urethral meatus, usually caused by sexually transmitted diseases.
In women, urethritis causes manifestations similar to those of bacterial cystitis.
Urethritis is most common in postmenopausal women and appears to be caused by tissue changes related to low estrogen levels.
Low estrogen levels decrease moisture and the type of secretions in the perineal area, predisposing it to the development of infection. Treated with estrogen creams. The client’s immune system, personal hygiene, and sexual practices do not place her at risk for developing urethritis.
Urethral strictures.
Urethral strictures are narrowed areas that are idiopathic or caused by an STD or from trauma during catheterization, urologic procedures, or childbirth.
The most common symptom of urethral stricture is obstruction of urine flow. Rarely cause pain. May have overflow incontinence from a distended bladder.
Surgical treatment by urethroplasty—best chance of long-term cure (surgical removal of affected area with or without grafting to create a larger opening). Recurrence is high.
Dilation of urethra under local anesthesia is a temporary measure
Incontinence
Continence is a learned behavior to control the time and place of urination and is unique to humans and some domestic animals.
Efficient bladder emptying from coordination between bladder contraction and urethral relaxation is needed for continence.
Incontinence is involuntary loss of urine causing social or hygienic problems.
Incontinence is not a normal consequence of aging or childbirth and often is a stigmatizing and an underreported health problem
The most common forms of adult urinary incontinence are stress incontinence, urge incontinence, overflow incontinence, functional incontinence, and a mixed form.
Stress incontinence
Stress incontinence is the most common type. Its manifestations are loss of small amounts of urine during coughing, sneezing, jogging, or lifting.
Stress incontinence the patient cannot tighten the urethra enough to overcome the increased bladder pressure caused by contraction of the detrusor muscle. Common after childbirth and low estrogen levels after menopause (vaginal, uretheral, and pelvic floor muscles become thin and weak without estrogen)
Initial interventions for stress incontinence include keeping a diary, behavioral interventions, such as diet and exercise, and drugs or surgery as a last resort.
Maintaining a diary detailing times of urine leakage, activities, and foods eaten will aid in the diagnostic process by showing if there is a connection between specific factors that seem to trigger the incontinent episodes.
Limiting fluids concentrates urine and can irritate tissues, leading to increased incontinence. Alcoholic and caffeinated beverages are bladder stimulants. Obesity increases intra-abdominal pressure, causing incontinence.
Incontinence hx
Assessment History
Efffective screening includes asking patients to respond “always,” “sometimes,” or “never” to these questions
Do you ever leak urine or water when you don’t want to?
Do you ever leak urine or water on the way to the bathroom?
Do you ever use pads, tissue, or cloth in your underwear to catch urine?
If the answer is always or sometimes, proceed with a focused assessment
Assessment of incontinence
Assess the abdomen to estimate bladder fullness, to rule out palpable hard stool, and to evaluate bowel sounds.
With a physician’s order, determine the amount of residual urine by portable ultrasound or catheterizing the patient immediately after voiding.
In women, inspect external genitalia to determine whether there is apparent urethral or uterine prolapse, cystocele, or rectocele with pelvic floor muscle weakness.
Imaging is rarely needed unless surgery is being considered.
How to reduce stress incontinence
With appropriate therapy, the patient with urinary incontinence is expected to develop urinary continence by no urinary leakage between voiding and no urine leakage with increased abdominal pressure (e.g., sneezing, laughing, lifting).
Interventions include keeping a diary, behavioral therapy, and drugs.
Drugs such as estrogen increased blood flow and tone of muscles around the vagina and urethra, improving ability to contract those muscles. Anticholinerics/Antispasmodics cause bladder muscle relaxation and suppressing the urge to void. Tricyclic antidepressants have anticholinergic actions and block acetylcholine receptors to relieve urinary incontinence.
Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercise therapy strengthens the muscles of the pelvic floor for both men and women. Improvement takes several months but notice a positive change in 6 weeks.
Biofeedback devices and electrical stimulation devices to strengthen urethral contractions.
Stress incontinence may be corrected by vaginal, abdominal, or retropubic surgeries with varying success rates.
Postoperative care assess for and intervene to prevent or detect complications.
For prevention of movement or traction on the bladder neck. Secure the urethral catheter with tape or a tube holder.
If a suprapubic catheter is used, monitor the dressing for urine leakage and other drainage.
Catheters are usually left in place until the patient can void easily and less than 50 mL residual urine.