Genitourinary Disorder Alteration in Fluid Elimination UTI
Introduction
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that affects the various parts of the urinary system such as the urethra, bladder, ureters, and kidneys. In young children, this disease is common and potentially serious. Statistics show that approximately 1% of boys and 3-5% of girls are affected by UTI. While most cases of UTI in boys usually occur within the first year, the age at which the first case of UTI is diagnosed in girls varies greatly. There are many factors that predispose young children to UTI including vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), incomplete emptying of the bladder, sexual abuse, pinworms, and fecal incompetence (Berreman, 2002). Correct diagnosis of UTI is paramount in order to avoid prescribing the wrong medication. In addition, correct diagnosis is critical in developing effective management and care plans for the patient which would go a long way in improving patient outcomes.
During diagnosis, various diagnostic methods are used and the patient’s medical history as well as signs and symptoms ought to be a central focus by the clinician. This is important because as opposed to the more clear symptoms in older children and adults, UTI symptoms tend to be less specific and thus hard to detect in young children and infants. In fact, fever may turn out to be the only sign pointing to the possible presence of UTI in infants. In this case study, a case of UTI in a four month old female is examined with a special focus on the medical history, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, etiology, treatment, and management and care of the patient.
Medical history and physical assessment of the patient
A female infant aged 4 months presents with chi...
... middle of paper ...
...t should be taken. If they appear nontoxic, oral antibiotics and fluids can be used for treatment. However, for patients who appear toxic, parenteral antibiotics and intravenous fluids should be aggressively administered. Most patients with uncomplicated UTI respond well antibiotic treatments in outpatient care without further problems. However, patients with severe or chronic infections require close follow-up, imaging, and appropriate treatment to prevent further sequelae in the long term. If a patient’s condition responds well to therapy, repeated urinalysis and urine cultures are not necessary. Before choosing a particular empiric therapy, clinicians should be aware of antibiotic resistance due to previous exposure of some uropathogens to antibiotics such as in cases of otitis media (Fisher, Pediatric Urinary Tract Infection Treatment & Management, 2011).