Which instruction by the nurse would help to facilitate micturition in a male client

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are caused by pathogenic microorganisms in the urinary tract (kidney, bladder, urethra). Most UTIs are caused by the bacterium Escherichia coli (E. coli), normally found in the digestive system. Usually, bacteria that enter the urinary tract system are removed by the body before they can cause symptoms. But, in some cases, bacteria overcome the natural defenses of the body, therefore causes infection. UTIs are usually classified as infections involving the upper or lower urinary tract. An infection in the urethra is called urethritis. A bladder infection is called cystitis. Bacteria may ascend to the ureters to multiply and cause the infection of the kidneys (pyelonephritis). Signs and symptoms of urinary tract infections include; fever, chills, a strong, persistent urge to urinate, burning sensation when urinating, cloudy, foul-smelling urine, and pelvic pain in women.

The focus of this nursing care plan for urinary tract infections includes nursing interventions to relieve pain and discomfort, increase the client’s knowledge about the preventive measures and treatment regimen, and manage potential complications.

Here are four nursing care plans and nursing diagnoses for patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).

  1. Acute Pain UPDATED
  2. Impaired Urinary Elimination UPDATED
  3. Hyperthermia UPDATED
  4. Deficient Knowledge UPDATED
  5. Other possible nursing care plans

1. Acute Pain

Acute Pain

Nursing Diagnosis

  • Acute Pain

May be related to

  • Inflammation and infection of the urinary tract (e.g., urethra, bladder, and other urinary tract structures).

May be evidenced by

  • Burning on urination.
  • Facial grimace.
  • Guarding behavior.
  • Protective decreased physical activity.
  • Spasm in the lower back and bladder area.

Desired goals and outcomes

  • Client will use pharmacological and nonpharmacological pain relief strategies.
  • Client will report satisfactory pain control at a level less than 3 to 4 on a scale of 0 to 10.
  • Client will report absence of pain.

Nursing Assessment and Rationale

1. Assess the client’s description of pain, such as quality, nature, and severity of pain.
Pain associated with UTI is described as burning on urination, flank pain, lower abdominal or suprapubic pain (Gupta et al., 2017; Lee et al., 2007). In comparison, some clients with recurrent infections are asymptomatic. This information will help in determining the choice of intervention.

2. Assess for signs and symptoms of urinary tract infection.
Common signs and symptoms of UTI include dysuria (painful, burning sensation, or difficult urination), urinary frequency & urgency, and nocturia (voiding two or more times at bedtime). Additionally, pyuria (foul-smelling or cloudy urine) or hematuria (bloody urine) may also occur due to excess white cells in the urine and bleeding of the inflamed bladder wall (Flores-Mireles et al., 2019).

3. Assess for risk factors for UTI.
A history of sexually transmitted infections, catheter use, and previous surgeries of the genitourinary tract are at risk of developing UTI. Blockages of the urinary tract, such as those caused by a kidney stone or an enlarged prostate, can block urine flow and increase the risk of UTI. (Storme, Saucedo, Garcia-Mora, 2019).

4. Monitor laboratory and diagnostic studies, as indicated:

  • 4.1. WBC count.
    Increased WBC count is a systemic response to infection.
  • 4.2. Urinalysis.
    To assess for pyuria, bacteria, and blood cells in the urine that is associated with the inflammation process during an infection.
  • 4.3. Bacteria in the urine.
    Colony count of greater than 100,000 CFU/mL of urine during a clean-catch midstream or catheterized specimen indicates infection, although lower counts may also indicate UTI.
  • 4.4. Urine culture and sensitivity.
    Used to identify the infecting organism and to determine the most effective and suitable antibiotic. Additionally, test for sexually transmitted infections is performed if acute urethritis is suspected.
  • 4.5. Computed tomography (CT scan).
    Used for detecting renal calculi, pyelonephritis, and abscess.
  • 4.6. Ultrasound and kidney scans.
    Used for detecting obstruction, abscesses, tumors, and cysts.

Nursing Interventions and Rationales

1. Apply a heating pad to the suprapubic area or lower back.
The application of heat to the perineum help relieve pain and spasm.

2. Administer analgesics (e.g., acetaminophen) or antispasmodics (e.g., phenazopyridine), as indicated.
Antispasmodic and analgesic agents are useful in relieving bladder irritability, spasm, and pain.

3. Encourage the patient to increased oral fluid intake unless contraindicated.
Increasing fluid intake to 2 to 3 liters per day helps facilitate urine production, dilutes urine, reduces irritation of the inflamed bladder, promotes renal blood flow, and flushes bacteria from the urinary tract.

4. Instruct to avoid coffee, tea, spices, alcohol, and sodas.
These foods are considered urinary tract irritants and may irritate the urinary system.

5. Encouraged the client to void frequently.
Frequent voiding every 2 to 3 hours to completely empty the bladder is encouraged to prevent bladder distention, lower bacterial urine counts, reduce stasis of the urine, and prevent reinfection.

6. Use of non-pharmacological techniques for pain management as appropriate.
Alternative therapies such as relaxation, massage, guided imagery, or distraction may decrease pain and provide comfort.

7. Administer antibacterial agents as indicated.
Trimethoprim (TMP) or cephalexin are usually the first choices of antibiotics. Short-course therapy using a single antibiotic or a 3-day course reduces treatment cost, increases compliance to therapy, and a lower rate of side effects.

8. Stress the importance of completing the antibiotic therapy
Even if the symptoms disappear, the client should finish the prescribed duration of the antibiotic therapy. Unable to do so may result in reinfection.

For more comprehensive nursing assessment and nursing interventions for pain, please visit our Acute Pain nursing diagnosis guide.

1. Acute Pain

Recommended nursing diagnosis and nursing care plan books and resources.

Disclosure: Included below are affiliate links from Amazon at no additional cost from you. We may earn a small commission from your purchase. For more information, check out our privacy policy.

  • Nursing Care Plans: Nursing Diagnosis and Intervention (10th Edition)
    An awesome book to help you create and customize effective nursing care plans. We highly recommend this book for its completeness and ease of use.
  • Nurse’s Pocket Guide: Diagnoses, Prioritized Interventions and Rationales
    A quick-reference tool to easily select the appropriate nursing diagnosis to plan your patient’s care effectively.
  • NANDA International Nursing Diagnoses: Definitions & Classification, 2021-2023 (12th Edition)
    The official and definitive guide to nursing diagnoses as reviewed and approved by the NANDA-I. This book focuses on the nursing diagnostic labels, their defining characteristics, and risk factors – this does not include nursing interventions and rationales.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 12th Edition Revised Reprint with 2021-2023 NANDA-I® Updates
    Another great nursing care plan resource that is updated to include the recent NANDA-I updates.
  • Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5(TM))
    Useful for creating nursing care plans related to mental health and psychiatric nursing.
  • Ulrich & Canale’s Nursing Care Planning Guides, 8th Edition
    Claims to have the most in-depth care plans of any nursing care planning book. Includes 31 detailed nursing diagnosis care plans and 63 disease/disorder care plans.
  • Maternal Newborn Nursing Care Plans (3rd Edition)
    If you’re looking for specific care plans related to maternal and newborn nursing care, this book is for you.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Manual: Planning, Individualizing, and Documenting Client Care (7th Edition)
    An easy-to-use nursing care plan book that is updated with the latest diagnosis from NANDA-I 2021-2023.
  • All-in-One Nursing Care Planning Resource: Medical-Surgical, Pediatric, Maternity, and Psychiatric-Mental Health (5th Edition)
    Definitely an all-in-one resources for nursing care planning. It has over 100 care plans for different nursing topics.

See also

Other recommended site resources for this nursing care plan:

  • Nursing Care Plans (NCP): Ultimate Guide and Database MUST READ!
    Over 150+ nursing care plans for different diseases and conditions. Includes our easy-to-follow guide on how to create nursing care plans from scratch.
  • Nursing Diagnosis Guide and List: All You Need to Know to Master Diagnosing
    Our comprehensive guide on how to create and write diagnostic labels. Includes detailed nursing care plan guides for common nursing diagnostic labels.

Other care plans and nursing diagnoses related to reproductive and urinary system disorders:

  • Acute Glomerulonephritis | 4 Care Plans
  • Acute Renal Failure | 6 Care Plans
  • Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) | 5 Care Plans
  • Chronic Renal Failure | 11 Care Plans
  • Hemodialysis | 3 Care Plans
  • Hysterectomy (TAHBSO) | 6 Care Plans
  • Mastectomy | 14+ Care Plans
  • Menopause | 6 Care Plans
  • Nephrotic Syndrome | 5 Care Plans
  • Peritoneal Dialysis | 6 Care Plans
  • Prostatectomy | 6 Care Plans
  • Urolithiasis (Renal Calculi) | 4 Care Plans
  • Urinary Tract Infection | 4 Care Plans
  • Vesicoureteral Reflux (VUR) | 5 Care Plans

References and Sources

  1. Flores-Mireles, A., Hreha, T. N., & Hunstad, D. A. (2019). Pathophysiology, treatment, and prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection. Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation, 25(3), 228-240.
  2. Gupta, K., Grigoryan, L., & Trautner, B. (2017). Urinary tract infection. Annals of internal medicine, 167(7), ITC49-ITC64.
  3. Lee, J. B., & Neild, G. H. (2007). Urinary tract infection. Medicine, 35(8), 423-428.
  4. Storme, O., Tiran Saucedo, J., Garcia-Mora, A., Dehesa-Dávila, M., & Naber, K. G. (2019). Risk factors and predisposing conditions for urinary tract infection. Therapeutic advances in urology, 11, 1756287218814382.

Matt Vera is a registered nurse with a bachelor of science in nursing since 2009 and is currently working as a full-time writer and editor for Nurseslabs. During his time as a student, he knows how frustrating it is to cram on difficult nursing topics. Finding help online is nearly impossible. His situation drove his passion for helping student nurses by creating content and lectures that are easy to digest. Knowing how valuable nurses are in delivering quality healthcare but limited in number, he wants to educate and inspire nursing students. As a nurse educator since 2010, his goal in Nurseslabs is to simplify the learning process, break down complicated topics, help motivate learners, and look for unique ways of assisting students in mastering core nursing concepts effectively.

Which instructions would the nurse include in a health practices teaching plan for a female client with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections?

Nursing Management.
Assess the symptoms of UTI..
Encourage patient to drink fluids..
Administer antibiotic as ordered..
Encourage patient to void frequently..
Educate patient on proper wiping (from front to the back).
Educate patient on drinking acidic juices which help deter growth of bacteria..
Take antibiotics as prescribed..

Which information would a nurse include when teaching a female client with recurrent urinary tract infections UTIs about the prevention of future UTIs?

To prevent UTIs.
Drink plenty of water each day. ... .
Urinate when you need to..
If you are sexually active, urinate right after you have sex..
Change sanitary pads often..
Avoid douches, bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays, and other feminine hygiene products that have deodorants..

Which instructions would the nurse give to a female client to help prevent a cycle of recurrent urinary tract infections?

Drink plenty of water, and relieve yourself often. The simplest way to prevent a UTI is to flush bacteria out of the bladder and urinary tract before it can set in. If you're well-hydrated, it will be tough to go too long without urinating.

Which instructions would the nurse give to a client with renal calculi?

Nurse's Role.
Maintain fluid intake to facilitate stone fragment removal..
Keep patient mobile..
Control pain..
May have bleeding in urine..
Strain urine and send stone to lab..