UTI

What is a UTI?
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is the presence of urinary microorganisms that cannot be accounted for by contamination (Sutton, 2015)

Signs and Symptoms of UTI (Healthline, n.d.)

• burning with urination
• increased frequency of urination 
• increased urgency of urination
• bloody-cloudy urine
• tea colored urine 
• strong smelling urine 
• pain 

What are some labworks indicative of UTI?
WBCs ≥ 20/hpf and the presence of nitrites in the urine (Holubar & Meng, 2017).

Lower-tract UTI
Are frequently caused by gram-negative bacteria (95% of UTIs), with E. Coli present in 80% of the cases (CDC, 2015).

Recommended treatment
Medical guidelines recommend as first line of treatment for uncomplicated UTI, one double-strength tablet twice daily of sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (TMP/SMZ) 800 mg-160 mg orally for three days (Woo & Robinson, 2016).

Follow up

Patients will require follow-up visits to determine therapeutic response. Monitoring involves urinalysis with reflex to culture upon completion of treatment (to verify eradication of the infection). 

References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CDC, 2015). Antibiotic Prescribing and Use in Doctor's Offices. (2015, April 17). Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic- use/community/for-patients/common-illnesses/uti.html

Healthline. (n.d.) Everything You Need to Know About Urinary Tract Infection. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/urinary-tract-infection-adults

Holubar, M., & Meng, L. (2017). SHC Clinical Pathway: Management of Urinary Tract Infections – Adult Patients. Retrieved from http://med.stanford.edu/bugsanddrugs/ guidebook/_jcr_content/main/panel_builder_1454513702/panel_0/download_1259381084/file.res/SHCMed guidance UTIs.pdf

Sutton, S. S. (2015). McGraw-Hills NAPLEX review guide. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.

Woo, TM., Robinson, MV. (2016). Pharmacotherapeutics for advanced practice nurse prescribers (4th ed.). FA Davis Co. Philadelphia.