A nurse is collecting data from a client who has a urinary tract infection. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect? (Select all that apply.)
Explanation & Rationale
A. Clients with a urinary tract infection (UTI) often experience increased urgency and frequency of urination due to inflammation and irritation of the bladder mucosa. This is one of the classic lower urinary tract symptoms. B. Polyuria is the production of abnormally large volumes of urine, which is typically seen in conditions like diabetes mellitus or diabetes insipidus, not in UTIs. In UTIs, the bladder is irritated but not producing excessive urine; rather, the client feels frequent urges to urinate with small volumes. C. Edema in the lower extremities is not a typical finding of a UTI. It may be associated with renal failure or heart failure, but not uncomplicated urinary tract infections. D. Painful or difficult urination (dysuria) is a hallmark symptom of UTIs. It occurs due to inflammation and irritation of the urethra or bladder lining. Clients often describe burning or stinging with urination. E. Blood in the urine (hematuria) can occur in UTIs, especially if the infection causes significant irritation or damage to the urinary tract lining. It may appear microscopic (detected on urinalysis) or gross (visible).