urinary tract infection questions. please help

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Hello, I am new to this forum, would really appreciate if someone could help me out with my questions on urinary tract infection (UTI). Once the signs and symptoms of a UTI is identified, we send off an msu to the lab for tests. but please can someone please explain to me what are the diagnostic tests performed? and if all them are performed for every patient with suspected uti? and most importantly if someone could please please please give me a realistic example of a positive uti for a patient. I would be so grateful. thank you for your time. (Hopefully I'm posting this at the right place :o). I am a new grad in New Zealand, not sure if diagnostic tests are different in other countries, would appreciate if they're nz based.

Kind regards to you all.

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We send off for a test called a urine culture and sensitivty to see what antibiotic will work for the infection. It will tell you the 1st day if they have a uti but takes aanother day or so to see what antibiotic will work.

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thank you for your reply :)

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Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

They may first send off a urinalysis and then urine for C&S if it comes back dirty.

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Thank you :)

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sometimes it's sent to micro to get a closer look too

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Do you have a lab manual/reference guide on your unit? Most of the respondents on this site are in the US and I know units & terminology is different in AUS/NZ.

In the US if the sample is positive for microscopic blood, leukocyte and/or nitrates plus a positive clinical history (dysuria, polyuria, possibly elevated temp) then a microscopic analysis & c&s(culture & sensitivity ). The c&s is to determine specific microorganism as well as which antibiotics the bacteria are most susceptible to.

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I concur from Australian perspective from Just Beachy, though I might add, if working in aged care or have an older patient, if they become confused (if not before) first thing is to test wee and usually they have a UTI.

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thank you :)

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thank you for your answer

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thank you heaps :)

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