Question

The nurse is teaching a health class about UTIs to a group of older adults. What characteristic of UTIs should the nurse cite?

A) Men over age 65 are equally prone to UTIs as women, but are more often asymptomatic.
B) The prevalence of UTIs in men older than 50 years of age approaches that of women in the same age group.
C) Men of all ages are less prone to UTIs, but typically experience more severe symptoms.
D) The prevalence of UTIs in men cannot be reliably measured, as men generally do not report UTIs.

Answer 1

UTIs are more common in women due to anatomical factors. In older adults, risk factors include incomplete bladder emptying and weaker immune systems. UTIs in men are less common but can be severe.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse should cite that urinary tract infections (UTIs) are more commonly associated with female anatomy due to the short urethra and its close proximity to the anus, leading to a higher risk of infection from fecal bacteria. Additionally, in the elderly, factors such as incomplete bladder emptying and weakened immune systems can contribute to an increased incidence of UTIs. While UTIs in men over 50 years of age are less common compared to women, they can be related to conditions like enlarged prostate or kidney stones, which impair bladder emptying and can lead to infections.

It's important to note that bladder infections are generally four times more common in women than in men. However, the prevalence of UTIs in men does increase with age, yet it does not approach that of women in the same age group. Therefore, while men are less prone to UTIs, they can experience severe symptoms when they do occur, and older men may more often be asymptomatic.