Final answer:
Collecting a urine sample and testing for antibiotic susceptibility is essential in diagnosing a urinary tract infection, identifying the pathogen, determining effective treatment, and monitoring treatment effectiveness. The testing ensures that prescribed antibiotics are targeted to eradicate the specific bacteria causing the UTI.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Purpose of Urine Sample Collection and Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing
The collection of a urine sample and subsequent testing for antibiotic susceptibility serve several important purposes. First, it is used to determine the presence of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Secondly, it helps to identify the specific organism causing the infection. Identifying the organism is crucial in choosing the most effective antibiotic for treatment. Additionally, this process is important to determine the most effective antibiotic treatment, which is known as antibiotic susceptibility. Lastly, it can be used to monitor the effectiveness of antibiotic treatment once it has been initiated.
For example, if a patient presents with symptoms of a UTI, a urine culture is performed to detect whether bacteria are present and, if so, which specific bacteria are responsible. This helps ensure that the prescribed antibiotics are targeted towards the pathogen in question. If the wrong antibiotic is initially prescribed – as may be the case before culture results are returned – the susceptibility test allows healthcare providers to adjust the treatment to one that the bacteria are susceptible to.