Question

A patient's urine is cloudy, amber, and has an unpleasant odor. What problem may this information indicate that requires the nurse to make a focused assessment?

1) Urinary retention
2) Urinary tract infection
3) Ketone bodies in the urine
4) High urinary calcium level

Answer 1

Cloudy, amber urine with an unpleasant odor typically indicates a urinary tract infection option 2, as these symptoms suggest the presence of white blood cells and bacteria in the urine.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a patient's urine is cloudy, amber, and has an unpleasant odor, these symptoms may indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI). Cloudy urine can be a result of white blood cells in the urine, which suggests the presence of infection. An unpleasant odor could also be associated with a UTI, where bacteria could produce foul-smelling compounds. A UTI occurs when bacteria from the lower gastrointestinal tract are introduced to the urinary tract, leading to symptoms like pain and possible discoloration of urine. The amber color suggests a concentration of urobilin or urochrome but is not necessarily indicative of a UTI on its own. However, combined with the other symptoms, it points toward an infection rather than the other options provided, such as urinary retention, presence of ketone bodies, or high urinary calcium level.