Question

A nurse is interviewing a female client who is tentatively diagnosed with cystitis, pending laboratory results. The nurse anticipates that the causative agent of the cystitis is Escherichia coli. The nurse anticipates this microorganism because it:

1. Thrives in the kidneys

2. Is a virulent bacterium

3. Inhabits the intestinal tract

4. Competes with fungi for host sites

Answer 1

The nurse anticipates Escherichia coli as the causative agent of cystitis because it inhabits the intestinal tract and commonly leads to infections like cystitis when fecal matter is introduced into the urethra.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse anticipates that the causative agent of the cystitis is Escherichia coli because it inhabits the intestinal tract. E. coli is a common member of the intestinal microbiota that can lead to urinary tract infections, including cystitis, when it is introduced into the urethra from fecal matter. Given its prevalence in the lower gastrointestinal tract and the potential for fecal contamination due to the anatomical proximity between the anus and the urethra, especially in females, it is the most commonly implicated bacteria in cystitis cases.

During a urinary tract infection diagnosis, leukocyte esterase levels and the presence of nitrite in urine can indicate an active bacterial infection. The presence of nitrite is commonly associated with E. coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae infections because these bacteria can convert nitrate to nitrite. Therefore, a nurse would anticipate E. coli as the probable cause of cystitis, being well aware of its habitat in the intestinal tract and its role in such infections.