Pathophysiology
Room 24, a 79 year-old widowed African American woman, presented September 23, 2016, to Lynchburg General Hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain, urinary frequency, burning sensation, and confusion. Upon arrival at the hospital, Room 24 was accompanied by a family member due to her inability to be awarelack of awareness of to her surroundings, as well as the increase in episodes of “wandering and getting lost” as stated by Room 24’s caregiver. She entered the hospital with a high state of confusion, which resulted in the inability to verbalize answers to questions regarding her birthday and current location. She has a past medical history of dementia. After the conduction of lab work and a urinalysis, Room 24 was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Room …show more content…
This system is able to remainstay sterile due to the following mechanisms: normal voiding patterns, an acidic pH level (less thaen 6) and a high urea concentration. Although the urinary system is a sterile environment, bacteria is able to access the system via the urethra. Primary bacteria that are responsible for causing UTIs are gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, streptococci, and enterococci. There are multiple ways that bBacteria can enter the urethra such asthrough improper perianal hygiene, catheterization procedures, and sexual intercourse (Med Surg Book p6. 1065).
In Room 24’s case, a contributing factor to her risk for acquiring a UTI is her current condition of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but it is a term that is used to describe a group of symptoms that affects ones’ memory, thinking and social abilities, and abilities to perform daily activities (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). She may have been neglecting her personal hygiene entirely, wiping her perineum incorrectly after urination, or simply neglecting to realize and acknowledge the burning sensation that comes with a basic
Room 24, a 79 year-old widowed African American woman, presented September 23, 2016, to Lynchburg General Hospital with a chief complaint of abdominal pain, urinary frequency, burning sensation, and confusion. Upon arrival at the hospital, Room 24 was accompanied by a family member due to her inability to be awarelack of awareness of to her surroundings, as well as the increase in episodes of “wandering and getting lost” as stated by Room 24’s caregiver. She entered the hospital with a high state of confusion, which resulted in the inability to verbalize answers to questions regarding her birthday and current location. She has a past medical history of dementia. After the conduction of lab work and a urinalysis, Room 24 was diagnosed with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Room …show more content…
This system is able to remainstay sterile due to the following mechanisms: normal voiding patterns, an acidic pH level (less thaen 6) and a high urea concentration. Although the urinary system is a sterile environment, bacteria is able to access the system via the urethra. Primary bacteria that are responsible for causing UTIs are gram-negative bacteria such as E. coli, streptococci, and enterococci. There are multiple ways that bBacteria can enter the urethra such asthrough improper perianal hygiene, catheterization procedures, and sexual intercourse (Med Surg Book p6. 1065).
In Room 24’s case, a contributing factor to her risk for acquiring a UTI is her current condition of dementia. Dementia is not a specific disease, but it is a term that is used to describe a group of symptoms that affects ones’ memory, thinking and social abilities, and abilities to perform daily activities (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2016). She may have been neglecting her personal hygiene entirely, wiping her perineum incorrectly after urination, or simply neglecting to realize and acknowledge the burning sensation that comes with a basic