Download UTIs

Nursing Assistant Monthly
Understanding urinary tract
infections
(UTIs)
Preventing, detecting
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Why be concerned?
 UTI is the leading infection in nursing home residents
 UTI can be uncomfortable
 UTI can lead to serious illness, hospitalization
 Sepsis—infection that affects major organs—from UTI can
lead to death
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs
Why higher risk?
 Nursing home residents are at higher risk than older adults
in the community due to:
– greater rates of incontinence
– more underlying medical problems
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs
The first sign to watch for and report!
 The first sign of UTI in older adults is often:
– a subtle change in mental status
• Example: sleepy, no energy
– change in behavior
• Example: little more confused, combative
– loss of appetite
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs
Other signs of UTI
 Watch for and report to the nurse:
– Complaints of burning or discomfort with urination
– Frequency of urination, often in small amounts
– Discomfort in the bladder area or lower back
– Blood, mucous in the urine
– Fatigue
– Fever (not always)
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs
Urinary catheters
 Increase the likelihood of UTI
– Bacteria can be introduced on catheter insertion
– Bacteria may travel to the bladder from outside the body
 Prevention
– Insertion using sterile technique according to facility policy
– Keep the system closed as much as possible
– Good hand-washing before and after handling the catheter
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs
Preventing UTIs
 Encourage fluid intake
– (unless resident must restrict fluids)
 Avoid constipation
 Good hand-washing (resident and CNA) before and after
toileting
 Be alert for signs of UTI and report them promptly!
December 2013
Copyright © 2013 Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Understanding UTIs