Question

A nurse is providing teaching for a female client who has recurrent urinary tract infections. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching?

1) Drinking plenty of water to flush out bacteria
2) Avoiding caffeine and alcohol
3) Wiping from back to front after using the toilet
4) Taking antibiotics only when symptoms are severe

Answer 1

A nurse should educate the female client on the importance of drinking water, avoiding bladder irritants such as caffeine and alcohol, practicing good hygiene by wiping from front to back, and adhering to prescribed antibiotics, even when symptoms aren't severe.

Step-by-step explanation:

When providing teaching to a female client who has recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), a nurse should include several important practices for the prevention and management of the condition:

1. Drinking plenty of water to help flush out bacteria from the urinary system.
2. Avoid substances that can irritate the bladder, such as caffeine and alcohol.
3. Maintaining proper hygiene by wiping from front to back after using the toilet to prevent the spread of bacteria from the area to the urethra.
4. Following the prescribed antibiotic regimen, which often includes drugs like nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, even when symptoms are not severe to ensure the complete eradication of the infection.

Option 3 is incorrect and should be reversed, as wiping from back to front can introduce bacteria to the urinary tract, increasing the risk of UTIs.