College

The ED Nurse knows that infants less than 30 days of age with a fever and suspected UTI will most likely need:

A) UA/Culture, discharge, and reevaluation in the ED in 1-3 days.
B) Blood and urine cultures, antibiotics.
C) Liquid antibiotics, lumbar puncture, and ultrasound of the kidneys.
D) A full workup, antibiotics, and admission.

Answer :

Infants less than 30 days old with a fever suspected to be from a UTI likely require a (D) full diagnostic workup, including blood and urine cultures, antibiotics, and hospital admission.

Infants under 30 days of age presenting with a fever and suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) usually require a thorough workup due to their immature immune systems and the risk of serious bacterial infections spreading to the bloodstream. This workup would likely include blood and urine cultures, administration of antibiotics, and hospital admission for close monitoring and treatment.

Urinalysis, leukocyte esterase levels, nitrite levels, and microscopic evaluation are important diagnostics for UTIs. In some cases, pyelonephritis is a concern, which typically requires further evaluation with imaging of the kidneys, especially in high-risk groups like the very young.

Considering the age of the infant and potential risks, the best option in the ED would be D) A full workup, antibiotics, and admission.