Final answer:
A nurse suspecting a UTI in a confused and incontinent elderly patient should consider the patient's weakened immune system, any pre-existing conditions, lowered fluid intake, and the common symptoms like fever and dysuria. A urine sample and culture will be needed for confirmation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a nurse working in a long-term care facility observes that a client is confused and incontinent, they may suspect several potential causes, including a urinary tract infection (UTI), dementia, dehydration, or medication side effects. The presence of confusion and incontinence, especially in an elderly individual like Robert, can certainly be indicative of a UTI. Elderly patients' immune systems are more vulnerable, and pre-existing conditions such as a prostrate issue could contribute to incomplete bladder emptying, which makes a UTI more likely. Furthermore, a lowered fluid intake and infrequent urination can facilitate the establishment of a UTI. Symptoms such as fever and dysuria are common in UTIs across all ages, and a decline in mental function can be associated with UTIs in older individuals. A urine sample and laboratory culture are typically ordered to confirm the diagnosis of a UTI.