Pharmacology Chapter 89

A nurse assesses the history of a patient who has had multiple complicated UTIs for which risk factors

Indwelling catheter Prostate hypertrophy Urinary tract stones

A patient is taking nitrofurantoin [Macrodantin]. Which finding should a nurse recognize as an indication that the treatment is having an undesired effect?

Dyspnea with chills

Most cases (more than 80%) of uncomplicated, community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) are caused by which bacteria?

Escherichia coli Most cases of uncomplicated, community-acquired UTI are caused by

A patient who has acute cystitis is receiving treatment with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Which manifestation should indicate to a nurse that the patient's condition is worsening?

Flank pain Flank pain may indicate continued infection or pyelonephritis. When acute cystitis is treated with a traditional agent of choice, such as trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, manifestations of dysuria, urinary urgency and frequency, suprapubic discomfort, and bacteriuria improve. Incontinence, 3+ pedal edema, and hyperactive bowel sounds are unrelated to acute cystitis.

The nurse is working with a patient who has a UTI. Because patient adherence to a medication regimen is a concern, the nurse anticipates use of which medication?

Fosfomycin When adherence is a concern, fosfomycin, which requires just one dose, is an attractive choice. As a rule, amoxicillin and cephalexin are avoided, because they are less effective than the alternatives and are less well tolerated. Trimethoprim requires a longer course of therapy than fosfomycin.

Which outcomes should a nurse establish when planning care for a patient taking methenamine [Mandelamine]?

Maintains a urine pH of 5.5 or lower Avoids sulfonamide medications Uses an enteric-coated formulation Under acidic conditions, methenamine makes formaldehyde, which causes bacterial cell death. Formaldehyde requires an acid urine to be released. To prevent the dose from being converted to formaldehyde in an acidic stomach, an enteric-coated formula may be used. Ingestion of large volumes of fluid dilutes methenamine and raises the urinary pH. Hepatotoxicity is not associated with methenamine [Mandelamine].

With the exception of pyelonephritis, the nurse is aware that most urinary tract infections are treated by which method?

Oral antibiotics in the home setting Except for pyelonephritis, most UTIs can be treated with oral therapy at home.

The nurse identifies which statements about frequent urinary tract reinfections as true?

Reinfections are considered frequent if the individual has three or more a year. If reinfection is associated with sexual intercourse, the risk can be reduced by instructing the patient to void after intercourse. Prophylactic therapy should continue for at least 6 months. Single- dose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, taken after intercourse, has been found to reduce the risk of reinfection. The other three statements are true.

The nurse is aware that acute cystitis occurs most often in which patient population?

Women of child-bearing age Acute cystitis is a lower urinary tract infection that occurs most often in women of child-bearing age.

A patient is to begin taking nitrofurantoin [Macrodantin]. The nurse should teach the patient that which manifestation should be the priority to report to the healthcare provider?

Muscle weakness and tingling Nitrofurantoin is used in acute infections of the lower urinary tract only. Muscle weakness and tingling may indicate irreversible damage to sensory and motor nerves caused by demyelinization of nerves. Patients should be informed of these symptoms and taught to report them immediately. Gastrointestinal (GI) effects may be minimized by taking the drug with milk or food. Brown urine is a harmless effect of the urinary excretion of the medication. Headache and drowsiness are less common adverse effects that are readily reversible.