1 infec 67 - tabish60102

[ArchivalUser]

An unusually high number of urinary tract infections are occurring in residents in a long-term-care facility. Many residents are infirm and incontinent and have indwelling urinary catheters in place.

Which of the following will most likely decrease the frequency of urinary tract infections in these residents?

A Administration of prophylactic antibiotics
B Washing the collecting bags with hydrogen peroxide
D Removal of the indwelling catheters whenever possible
E Changing of the indwelling catheters weekly

[ArchivalUser]

ddd

[ArchivalUser]

is it dd

[ArchivalUser]

ddd

[ArchivalUser]

DDD

[ArchivalUser]

CRRECT

[ArchivalUser]

Correct Answer = D)
Key Points

* Ninety percent of urinary tract infections are associated with indwelling catheters.
* Administering prophylactic antibiotics, acidifying the urine, or using disinfecting washes have not been shown to prevent urinary tract infections.

Ninety percent of urinary tract infections are related to indwelling catheters, and removing the catheters whenever possible is critical for preventing infections. The risk of colonization and infection increases the longer the catheters are in place. Physicians need to weigh the risk of infection against the difficulties associated with the care of incontinent patients.

There is no role for administering prophylactic antibiotics, acidifying the urine, or using any type of disinfecting wash, as none of these interventions has been shown to prevent urinary tract infections. No studies have shown that routinely changing the catheters decreases the risk of infection. In patients who require an indwelling catheter, suprapubic catheters and intermittent catheterization can be used. Men can also use condom catheters.