A urinary tract infection associated with an indwelling urinary catheter is called:& x20; - AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Medical & Surgical Nursing

Medium

Appeared in: AIIMS Delhi NO-2016

Explanation

A nosocomial infection is an infection acquired within a healthcare facility, such as a hospital.
These infections are typically confirmed when they appear 48 hours or more after hospital admission and were not incubating at the time of admission.
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) are the most prevalent type of nosocomial infection, often caused by the patient's own gut flora or hospital pathogens.
The term is used for epidemiological tracking, quality control, and implementation of prevention protocols within healthcare systems.

Option A: While technically correct that the infection is caused by a medical procedure (the catheter), making it iatrogenic, this term is less common for classification. 'Nosocomial' is the broader, standard epidemiological category for infections acquired in a hospital.
Option C: This term describes an infection in an immunocompromised host. While a hospitalized patient may be immunocompromised, the defining feature in the question is the catheter, not the patient's immune status.
Option D: A superinfection is a new infection that appears during the treatment of a primary infection. The question does not state the patient was being treated for another infection.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Classification of Infections helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Preventing CAUTI is a major patient safety goal in all healthcare facilities. Nurses are at the forefront of prevention through aseptic insertion technique, maintaining a closed drainage system, and advocating for timely catheter removal.
The incidence of CAUTI is a key quality metric for hospitals and can impact reimbursement. High rates may indicate lapses in infection control practices.
What if? If a patient with a long-term catheter at home develops a UTI, it would be classified as an iatrogenic infection but not a nosocomial one, as it was not acquired in a healthcare facility.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements in the question: 'urinary tract infection' and 'indwelling urinary catheter'.
Recognize that an indwelling catheter is a medical intervention typically performed in a healthcare setting.
Recall the definitions of the four types of infections provided in the options.
Evaluate which term best fits. An infection from a catheter is caused by a procedure (iatrogenic) and occurs in a hospital (nosocomial).
Determine the most standard and encompassing classification. Nosocomial infection (or HAI) is the standard category for infections like CAUTI.
Select 'Nosocomial infection' as the best fit among the choices.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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