UTI's Flashcards
List some common uropathogens
- Enterobacteriaceae (E. coli, Klebsiella spp., Proteus spp.)
- Enterococcus spp.
- CNS
- GBS
How do bacteria get into the urinary tract?
- Urethra -> Bladder -> Kidneys -> Blood
2. Bacteremia can result in seeding of the kidney
What mechanisms does the healthy human host have to eliminate microbes from the urinary tract?
- Normal flushing mechanism
- pH
- Chemical content of urine
What are some things that predispose someone to UTIs?
- Kidney stones
- Vesicourethral reflux
- Neurologic problems (DM, spinal cord injury)
- Prostate hypertrophy
- Short urethra (women)
- Urinary catheters
What is a major cause of nosocomial UTIs?
URINARY CATHETERS. Risk of UTI increases about 3% for each day of catheterization.
Guidelines for urinary catheters
- Avoid it unless necessary
- Remove it ASAP
- Hand hygiene
- Maintain drainage by gravity
- IN and OUT is better than continuous
3 basic components taken together for the Dx of a UTI
- Hx/physical
- Urinalysis
- Urine C/S
Signs and symptoms of a UTI
- Frequency of urination
- Dysuria
- Urgency
- Hesitation
- New onset of incontinence (elderly)
- Fever
- Costovertebral angle tenderness (pyelonephritis)
Malodorous or cloudy urine is a definite sign of a UTI, T or F?
FALSE
List various methods of urine collection
- Midstream
- Foley catheter
- Suprapubic aspiration
- Ileal conduit
- Nephrostomy tube
- Cystoscopy
Midstream urine collection
- Clean periurethral area prior to providing sample
- Difficult to collect from: bedridden pt’s, the elderly, infants
- Midstream urine allows for the initial stream to washout contaminating bacteria from lower urethra
Foley catheter collection
- Foley’s in for > 24 hours are probably colonized
- Try to collect from a newly inserted catheter (port)
- NEVER collect from the bag
What 2 types of patients are likely to undergo suprapubic aspiration for a urine sample?
- Pediatrics
2. Pt’s with spinal cord injuries
Urine collected from an ileal conduit is also going to grow bacteria, T or F?
TRUE
When should a urine sample be transported to the lab?
Within 2 hours to avoid overgrowth. Can refrigerate for up to 18 hours.