Urinary Flashcards
(108 cards)
Definition of a UTI?
WCC >105 per ml of fresh MSU
Investigations in UTI?
Dipstick urine:
- If positive: Treat and send for MSU for specificity
- If negative: Send for MSU, to confirm absence of infection.
Send MSU regardless if male, child, immunosuppressed, pregnant or unwell.
Management of lower UTI in females?
Non-pregnant adult females
- Nitrofurantoin 50mg QDS 3 days or Trimethoprim 200mg BD 3 days.
- If vaginal itch/change in discharge consider gynae cause: thrush, chlamydia (swabs)
- Encourage fluids and frequent voiding
Pregnant females
- Urine dip and culture at every antenatal visit
- Treat both symptomatic and asymptomatic bacteriuria with abx
- Consult local guidelines
Management of lower UTI in males?
Usually due to structural or functional abnormality
- Trimethoprim 200mg BD 7 days or Nitrofurantoin 50mg QDS 7 days
- Refer urology if upper UTI or prostatitis
- May require 2 week course of quinolone e.g. levofloxacin
- Do not treat asymptomatic bacteriuria in men >65 with abx
Prevention of UTIs?
General
- Drink more water
- Abx prophylaxis if recurrent - self-treatment with single abx dose when symptoms first present
- Cranberry juice/tablets
Men with prostatism
- Finasteride/dutastride and doxasozin decreases UTI incidence
HRT
- Topical oestrogen decreases incidence in menopausal women
Causes of lower UTI?
E.coli (75-90%)
Others
- Klebsiella pneumoniae
- Proteus mirabilis
- Staphylococcus saprophyticus
Causes of pyelo?
E.col = 80%
Others
- Proteus, staphylococcus, streptococcus, klebsiella, pseudomonas
Aetiology of pyelo?
Secondary to lower UTI
- More common if ureteric reflux or stasis (e.g. obstruction)
Pathology in kidney
- Renal stones, pelvi-uteric obstruction
Haematogenous infection
- Complication of sepsis (usually gram –Ve bacillius)
Complications of pyelo?
Urosepsis
Perinephric abscess
Necrotising papillitis (usually in diabetics)
Investigations in pyelo?
Bedside
- Urine - dip and MC&S (negative MSU does not exclude)
Bloods
- FBC, U+E, CRP, LFTs, clotting, amylase
- Blood cultures
Imaging
- AXR - may show stone
- USS KUB - may show dilated collecting system
Indications for admission with pyelo?
- Dehydration/unable to take oral fluids/meds
- Sepsis
- Pregnant
- Frail/elderly with recurrent UTIs/recent admission
- No improvement after 24 hours of abx
Management of pyelo (primary and secondary care)?
Empirial Abx
- Ciprofloxacin 500mg BD 7 days OR
- Co-amoxiclav 625mg TDS 7 days
- Once sensitivity confirmed –> trimethoprim 200mg BD 14 days
If Admitted
- Broad spec abx - IV initially (Co-amox)
- Analgesia (opiates)
- Monitor fluid balance - fluids if reduced intake
Surgical
- Percutaneous nephrostomy if obstructed
- Surgery if abscess develops
Causes of acute retention?
82% caused by prostatic obstruction (BPH, Malignancy)
Others
- Constipation, alcohol, drugs (anticholinergics, diuretics), UTI, hernia repair,
Rare
- Urethral stricture, clot retention, spinal cord compression, bladder stone
Presentation of acute urinary retention?
Symptoms
- Inability to pass urine with sensation of needing to go, suprapubic abdominal pain, oliguria, delirium.
Signs
- Palpable bladder (tender and dull to percussion)
- Suprapubic tenderness
- DRE: enlarged +/- irregular prostate
- Check perianal sensation, if decreased ?neuro cause
Management of acute retention?
Investigations
- Bladder scan/Pass a catheter
- Urine dip/MSU of sample
- Urgent MRI spine if neurological cause suspected
- Fluid balance and U+E monitoring
Management
- Urgent catheterisation
- Treat causes (infection/constipation)
- TWOC - monitor for recurrence of retention
- Treat as chronic retention if recurs
Complication of retention management?
Post-obstructive diuresis
- Polyuric response –> loss of water and electrolytes
- Monitor these
What are the functions of the kidney?
- Excretory
- Homeostasis
- Fluid, BP, acid base
- Endocrine
- EPO, bone metabolism (Ca2+)
Definition of chronic kidney disease?
Abnormality of kidney structure or function present for more than 3 months
Causes of CKD?
- Diabetic nephropathy
- Hypertension
- Glomerulonephritis
- Systemic disease (e.g. SLE, vasculitis, amyloid, myeloma)
- Renal Artery Stenosis
- Hereditary (e.g. polycystic kidney disease)
- Chronic pyelonephritis/vesicoureteric reflux
- Urinary tract obstruction (e.g. prostatic disease)
- Heart failure
- Drugs (e.g. NSAIDs)
Signs and symptoms of CKD?
Signs
- Hypertension, pulmonary oedema, peripheral vascular disease, pigmentation
Symptoms (if symptomatic)
- Fluid retention, polyuria, nocturia
- Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, malnutrition
- Peripheral neuropathy, restless legs
- Pruritis
- Bone pain, fractures, arthropathy
- Erectile dysfunction, oligomenorrhoea, reduced fertility
Complications of CKD?
- Anaemia
- Bone mineral disorder (reduced vitamin D absorption and secondary hyperparathyroidism)
- Metabolic acidosis
- Hyperkalaemia
Classification of CKD?

Investigations in CKD?
Urine
- Urine dip, microscopy (Casts indicate glom damage)
- ACR - prognostic importance (<3 = normal, 3-70 needs retesting with EM sample, >70 no need)
Bloods
- FBC, U+E, LFTs, Clotting
- Immunology screen - SLE, vaculitis, myeloma
Imaging
- Renal USS
- Normal, obstruction, cystic disease, scarring, renovascular abnormality +/- renal biopsy, angiography
Management of CKD?
Conservative
- Stop smoking, healthy BMI, avoid nephrotoxins, avoid dehydration
- Salt/phosphate/potassium restriction
- Fluid requirements vary between patients - diuretics for fluid retention. Risk of dehydration is poor intake/increased loss.
Medical
- HTN - aim <140/90 (if diabetic <130/90). ACEi/ARB unless RA stenosis
- Statin as primary/secondary prevention
- Antiplatelets for secondary prevention only
- Be wary of nephrotoxics/drugs renally excreted (opioids, digoxin etc)
Long-Term
- RRT/palliation


