Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a urinary tract infection UTI )?

4. Which patient is at greatest risk for developing a urinary tract infection (UTI)?1. A 35 y.o. woman with a fractured wrist2. A 20 y.o. woman with asthma3. A 50 y.o. postmenopausal woman4. A 28 y.o. with angina

5. You have a patient that is receiving peritoneal dialysis. What should you do when you notice the returnfluid is slowly draining?

6. What is the appropriate infusion time for the dialysate in your 38 y.o. patient with chronic renal failure?

7. A 30 y.o. female patient is undergoing hemodialysis with an internal arteriovenous fistula in place. What doyou do to prevent complications associated with this device?

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7/8/16, 8:52 PMRenal Disorders Nursing Management NCLEX Practice Quiz 1 (50 Items) - Nurseslabs8. Your patient becomes restless and tells you she has a headache and feels nauseous during hemodialysis.Which complication do you suspect?1. Infection2. Disequilibrium syndrome3. Air embolus4. Acute hemolysis

9. Your patient is complaining of muscle cramps while undergoing hemodialysis. Which intervention iseffective in relieving muscle cramps?

10. Your patient with chronic renal failure reports pruritus. Which instruction should you include in thispatient’s teaching plan?

11. Which intervention do you plan to include with a patient who has renal calculi?

12. An 18 y.o. student is admitted with dark urine, fever, and flank pain and is diagnosed with acuteglomerulonephritis. Which would most likely be in this student’s health history?1. Renal calculi2. Renal trauma3. Recent sore throat4. Family history of acute glomerulonephritis

One of the most common types of infection, urinary tract infections (UTIs), occur when harmful microscopic organisms enter your urinary tract. Although these organisms can include fungi and viruses, most UTIs are caused by bacteria.

Your body typically eliminates these bacteria before they can trigger symptoms, but risk factors ranging from sexual activity to underlying health problems can increase the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection.

Common Causes and Risk Factors

While a UTI can occur in any part of your urinary system (including the bladder, kidneys, ureters, and urethra), most UTIs affect the bladder and urethra (i.e. the lower urinary tract). Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis are among the bacteria most commonly linked to UTIs.

Gender

Because of certain anatomical factors, women face a much higher risk of UTIs (compared to men). This is because women have a shorter urethra, which allows bacteria to reach and infect the bladder far more easily. What’s more, the opening to the urethra in women is significantly closer to the rectum, where UTI-causing bacteria are known to dwell.

Pregnancy

Due to pregnancy-related changes in the urinary tract, UTIs may also be more common during pregnancy (especially from week six through week 24).

It’s said that the increased size and weight of the uterus may prevent the complete drainage of urine from the bladder, which can make pregnant women more UTI-prone.

Menopause

Women who have gone through menopause may also have a greater risk of urinary tract infections, possibly due to hormonal changes that might affect the beneficial bacteria responsible for fighting off harmful microorganisms in the urinary tract.

Health Conditions

Several chronic health problems may increase UTI risk as well. These include conditions associated with impaired immune response (such as diabetes), which can weaken your body’s ability to fend off bacteria. Age-related issues like Alzheimer’s disease may also factor into UTI risk, since they may interfere with personal hygiene.

In addition, the following people may be more likely to develop urinary tract infections:

• those with spinal cord injuries or nerve damage around the bladder, which can prohibit complete emptying of the bladder
• those with kidney stones, enlarged prostate, or any other issue that blocks the normal flow of urine and encourages bacterial growth
• those with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) or other abnormalities of the urinary tract
• those who have recently used a urinary catheter
• those with bowel incontinence

Genetics

Some emerging research suggests that genetics may play a role in urinary tract infections.

In a 2011 report published in the journal Nature Reviews: Urology, for instance, scientists state that genetic variation in immune response may either influence the severity of UTIs or protect against infection.

However, more research is needed before the possible genetic causes of UTIs can be fully understood.

Lifestyle Risk Factors

A number of lifestyle factors may contribute to the development of urinary tract infections.

Sexual Activity

Sexual activity is one of the most common lifestyle risk factors for UTIs, particularly for women. It’s thought that sexual intercourse may transport bacteria from the genitals and anus into the urethra and, in turn, lead to infection.

For men, unprotected sexual activity involving women with a vaginal infection may increase risk of UTIs.

Birth Control

Use of certain types of birth control (such as diaphragms or spermicide) may also raise UTI risk in women.

Personal Hygiene

Several personal hygiene habits are also considered risk factors for UTIs. These habits include:

• use of douches and feminine hygiene sprays or powders
• wiping from back to front after urinating or having a bowel movement, especially for women
• retaining urine for an abnormally prolonged period (i.e. “holding it in”)
• extended periods of immobility (such as during recovery from an injury or illness)

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are the signs of a UTI?

  UTIs cause pain in the side of the abdomen or pelvic region, pressure in the pelvis, frequent need to urinate, painful urination, blood in the urine, and cloudy or foul-smelling urine. They also cause pain during sex, penis pain, lower back pain, fatigue, fever, vomiting, and mental changes.

• What symptoms overlap between UTIs and STDs?

  UTIs and certain STDs share some overlapping symptoms, including pain or burning while urinating, frequent and/or urgent need to urinate, foul-smelling or cloudy urine, pelvic pain, and unusual discharge.

• How do UTIs and bladder infections differ?

  UTI is a general term for an infection that occurs anywhere in the urinary tract, which includes the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra. A bladder infection, which is also known as cystitis, is an infection that specifically occurs in the bladder and causes inflammation.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

1. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. What is a bladder infection?

2. American Pregnancy Association. Urinary Tract Infection During Pregnancy.

3. Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C. Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility. Nat Rev Urol. 2011;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100

4. Cleveland Clinic. Urinary tract infections.

5. Nemours Foundation. TeensHealth. Why am I getting urinary tract infections?

Additional Reading

• Flores-Mireles AL, Walker JN, Caparon M, Hultgren SJ. Urinary tract infections: epidemiology, mechanisms of infection and treatment options. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2015 May;13(5):269-84. doi:10.1038/nrmicro3432

• Ragnarsdóttir B, Lutay N, Grönberg-Hernandez J, Köves B, Svanborg C. Genetics of innate immunity and UTI susceptibility. Nat Rev Urol. 2011 Jul 12;8(8):449-68. doi:10.1038/nrurol.2011.100

• The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bladder Infection (Urinary Tract Infection—UTI) in Adults.

By Cathy Wong
Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health.

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