UTI questions

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Ok this has always mystified me, mostly because it occurs with the same doctor.

I get results back from a UA C&S. This is just an example..but something along the lines of "Negative nitrates, WBC's within normal limits with a growth of Proteus Mirabilis" Sometimes he will order an ABX, sometimes not. He isn't asking me if they have symptons or not, so I am not sure of why some get abx and some don't. I am not taking about the raging UTI's, I can understand the logic behind that. I guess I will have to ask him lol.

Specializes in Pediatrics, Geriatrics, LTC.

Some organisms are abx resistant. They can do a specific test to see which abx will work. In the elderly sometimes the only s/s are change in personality or change in orientation/behavior. Look for clues like that as well when giving your report. Then ask the MD his/her rationale. :up::twocents:

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Transplant, Education.
I have never had UTI before, and I am always afraid that I won't recognize the symptoms. I am a person that can tolerate pain and even when I have bad headachs I don't even bother for a tylenol, advil etc. Anyway, since the topic is about UTIs, do the symptoms get worse to the point that you can't tolerate the pain anymore and you want to seek immidiate medical care? ...Don't laugh :PP

Oh man you'll recognize it. I had my first ever UTI this week (I have an extremely high tolerance for pain.) and it was excruciating. Not being able to void is a pain I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I have no idea how some of my A&Ox3 elderly patients don't even realize they have one because I thought my insides were falling out. The symptoms did get worse for me...it's definitely not something you want to wait out if you're uncomfortable, but as a PP mentioned, some can be self limiting.

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ask the doc.

For alot of the inct residents or esp ones with foleys, they will come back positive most if not all of the time. ABX resistance develops in alot of these. If there are no s/s they they don't always treat and just treat with nursing measures...more fluids, brief changes, good peri care etc.

I've had a UTI (first time when I was prego) and it isn't fun at all. I will never forget that type of pain and will always be agressive or pro active with my residents. Esp ones that are not always able to express themselves..(many will have behavior changes as the first s/s_

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