Pus in urine called?

Appeared in: SJH Nursing Officer - 2019

Explanation

Pyuria is the medical term for the presence of pus, which consists of white blood cells (leukocytes), in the urine.
It is a primary indicator of an inflammatory process within the genitourinary tract.
The most common cause of pyuria is a bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).
On a urinalysis report, pyuria is confirmed by a high white blood cell count or a positive test for leukocyte esterase.

Option B: Polyuria refers to the production of an excessive volume of urine (typically more than 3 liters per day), not the presence of pus.
Option C: Haematuria is the medical term for the presence of red blood cells (blood) in the urine, not pus.
Option D: Dysuria refers to the symptom of painful or difficult urination. While it is often associated with conditions that cause pyuria (like a UTI), it describes a sensation, not the composition of the urine.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medical terminology for urinary abnormalities as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Recognizing the difference between these terms is fundamental for accurate patient assessment and documentation. A nurse's report of 'pyuria' communicates a specific clinical sign, whereas 'dysuria' communicates a patient's symptom.
A finding of pyuria prompts the nurse to look for other signs of infection, such as fever, flank pain (suggesting pyelonephritis), and altered mental status, especially in older adults.
What if? If a patient has pyuria but the urine culture is negative ('sterile pyuria'), the nurse should consider that the cause may not be a typical bacterial UTI. This would prompt further investigation for conditions like renal tuberculosis, chlamydial infections, or interstitial nephritis, and the nurse should ensure follow-up is arranged. (SRC_21201)

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key term in the question: 'Pus in urine'.
Recall or deduce the medical prefixes and roots. 'Py-' or 'pyo-' relates to pus, and '-uria' relates to urine.
Combine the root and suffix: 'Py-' + '-uria' = Pyuria.
Evaluate the given options: 'Pyuria' directly matches the derived term.
Briefly define the other options to confirm they are incorrect: Polyuria (many/much urine), Haematuria (blood in urine), and Dysuria (painful urination). This confirms Pyuria is the only correct match.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Medicine Harrison 22e Part 1 p. 1130-1132

E6 Medicine Davidson Principles Practice 24e p. 450-452

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