A nurse is assessing a toddler who is toilet-trained and has a temperature of 38.5° C (101.3° F). Which of the following findings should the nurse recognize as an indication of a urinary tract infection (UTI)?

Choice A rationale Steatorrhea is the presence of excess fat in the stools, resulting in bulky, foul-smelling, and often floating feces. It is a sign of malabsorption and is commonly associated with conditions like celiac disease or cystic fibrosis. It is not a characteristic sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is an infection of the urinary system, not the gastrointestinal tract. Choice B rationale Jaundice is a yellow discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes caused by an elevated level of bilirubin in the blood. It is a sign of liver disease or increased red blood cell destruction and is not associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI primarily affects the urinary system and presents with genitourinary symptoms. Choice C rationale Incontinence, or loss of bladder control, is a common and often the first sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) in a toilet-trained toddler. The inflammation and irritation of the bladder (cystitis) and urethra due to the bacterial infection can lead to bladder spasms, urgency, and an inability to control urination, resulting in accidents. Choice D rationale Rebound tenderness is a clinical sign of peritonitis, which is the inflammation of the peritoneum, the membrane lining the abdominal cavity. It is a sign of a serious abdominal condition such as appendicitis. It is not typically associated with a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is a localized infection of the urinary system.