Question

A patient is seen in the emergency department complaining of dysuria and tells you that she is 23 weeks pregnant. Your doctor diagnoses her with a UTI. Which of the following would be the best diagnosis?

a) Acute urinary tract infection
b) Acute urinary tract infection in pregnancy, 1st trimester
c) Acute urinary tract infection in pregnancy, 2nd trimester
d) Acute urinary tract infection in pregnancy, 3rd trimester

Answer 1

The best diagnosis for a pregnant patient at 23 weeks with a UTI is 'Acute urinary tract infection in pregnancy, 2nd trimester,' fitting within the definition of the 2nd trimester and requiring safe antibiotic treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When diagnosing a patient who is 23 weeks pregnant and has an acute urinary tract infection (UTI), the best diagnosis would be 'Acute urinary tract infection in pregnancy, 2nd trimester'. The 2nd trimester is defined as weeks 13 through 26 of pregnancy, and since the patient is at 23 weeks, this timeframe fits within the 2nd trimester. UTIs during pregnancy need careful management to protect the health of both mother and developing fetus. It is essential to start immediate treatment with the appropriate antibiotics that are safe to use in pregnancy.