NURS 201 Lecture Notes - Lecture 17: Urethral Stricture, Rapidly Progressive Glomerulonephritis, Interstitial Cystitis
28 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Urinary tract infections (utis) are the second most common bacterial disease, and the most common bacterial infection in women. Risk factors for utis include pregnancy, menopause, instrumentation, and sexual intercourse. Escherichia coli (e. coli) is the most common pathogen causing a uti. Utis that are hospital-acquired are called nosocomial infections. Uti symptoms include dysuria, frequent urination (more than every 2 hours), urgency, and suprapubic discomfort or pressure. Flank pain, chills, and the presence of a fever indicate an infection involving the upper urinary tract (pyelonephritis). Utis are diagnosed by dipstick urinalysis to identify the presence of nitrites (indicating bacteriuria), wbcs, and leukocyte esterase (an enzyme present in wbcs indicating pyuria). A voided midstream technique yielding a clean-catch urine sample is preferred. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (tmp-smx) or nitrofurantoin (macrodantin) is often used to empirically treat uncomplicated or initial utis. Additional drugs may be used to relieve discomfort. Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the renal parenchyma and collecting system (including the renal pelvis).
