if a patient report urethral discharge; what additional information would you want to assess

by Gerhard Schneider 8 min read

Urethral Discharge Test: Purpose, Procedure & Results

13 hours ago Abnormal discharge should be confirmed by performing a clinical examination 1. In males, the urethra should be milked gently if no discharge is visible. Furthermore, specifically check for urethral discharge in patients complaining of painful or difficult urination (dysuria). Case management. Laboratory >> Go To The Portal


How is abnormal urethral discharge diagnosed?

Abnormal discharge should be confirmed by performing a clinical examination 1 . In males, the urethra should be milked gently if no discharge is visible. Furthermore, specifically check for urethral discharge in patients complaining of painful or difficult urination (dysuria).

When should I get a urethral discharge culture test?

Most often, your healthcare provider will recommend a urethral discharge culture test if you have signs or symptoms of a lower urinary tract infection, including: 1 painful urination 2 increased urine frequency 3 discharge from the urethra 4 redness or swelling around the urethra 5 swollen testicles More ...

What is urethral discharge and what causes it?

The male urethra is the tube that carries urine and semen through your penis, outside of your body. Urethral discharge is any type of discharge or liquid, besides urine or semen, that comes out of the opening of the penis. It can be several different colors and happens due to irritation or infection of the urethra.

When should a health care worker chart a patient with bladder problems?

The health care worker should chart that the patient has: The patient is having difficulty voiding after surgery, and the nurse notes that the bladder is full. Abnormal accumulation of urine in the bladder resulting from an inability to void is known as:

What does it mean when you have discharge from your urethra?

Urethral discharge is any type of discharge or liquid, besides urine or semen, that comes out of the opening of the penis. It can be several different colors and happens due to irritation or infection of the urethra.

How do you assess for urethritis?

Diagnosing non-gonococcal urethritisa swab test – a sample of fluid is taken from your urethra using a swab, which is like a small cotton bud. ... a urine test – you'll be asked not to pee for at least 2 hours before providing a urine sample as this can help make the test results more reliable.

How do you test for urethral discharge?

To collect the sample, a cotton swab is then gently inserted about three-fourths inch (2 centimeters) into the urethra and turned. To get a good sample, the test should be done at least 2 hours after urinating. The sample is sent to a lab. There, it is placed in a special dish (culture).

Is urethral discharge serious?

Female urethral discharge is usually the first sign of an infection known as urethritis. The causes of white particles in urine, or mucus in urine, is known as gonococcal urethritis, which can also cause pain and burning in the urethra.

How do you know if your urethra is infected?

Infections in the bladder or urethra often have the following symptoms:pelvic pressure.frequent and urgent need to urinate.blood in the urine.painful urination.lower abdominal pain.burning during urination.dark or cloudy urine.foul-smelling urine.

What are the three most common causes of urethritis?

Both bacteria and viruses may cause urethritis. Some of the bacteria that cause this condition include E coli, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. These bacteria also cause urinary tract infections and some sexually transmitted diseases. Viral causes are herpes simplex virus and cytomegalovirus.

What can cause discharge in males?

In men, penile discharge is often a telltale sign of infection, especially when presenting with other symptoms such as painful urination and pain during sexual intercourse. Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma genitalium are the STIs that can cause such abnormal penile discharge.

How do you treat urethral discharge?

The combination of azithromycin (Zithromax) or doxycycline plus ceftriaxone (Rocephin) or cefixime (Suprax) is recommended as empiric treatment for urethritis.

What discharge is abnormal?

Vaginal discharge is most often a normal and regular occurrence. However, there are certain types of discharge that can indicate an infection. Abnormal discharge may be yellow or green, chunky in consistency, or foul smelling. Yeast or a bacterial infection usually causes abnormal discharge.

Is urethral discharge seen in men?

Urethral discharge is seen almost exclusively in men. The principal causative organisms are Neisseria gonorrhoeae (gonorrhoea) and Chlamydia trachomatis (chlamydia). Abnormal discharge should be confirmed by performing a clinical examination 1 . In males, the urethra should be milked gently if no discharge is visible.

Can C. trachomatis be identified in a lab?

C. trachomatis cannot easily be identified in a field laboratory. In the absence of validated rapid diagnostic tests, the treatment is empiric.#N#– In men, a methylene blue or Gram stained smear from a urethral swab may be used to detect gonococci (Gram negative intracellular diplococci).

How long after urethra treatment can you get another test?

If your urethritis is due to an infection such as gonorrhoea it is vital that you have another test after you have been treated to make sure the infection has been cured. This will usually be done seven days after treatment.

What causes urethral discharge in men?

Urethritis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but not always. It can occur within a stable relationship.

What is the term for the inflammation of the urethra?

Urethritis means inflammation of the urethra (the tube inside your penis which urine travels out of from your bladder when you pass water). Urethritis is usually caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI) but not always. It can occur within a stable relationship. In This Article. Urethritis and Urethral Discharge in Men.

What does it feel like to pass urine?

Symptoms. A fluid (discharge) from the end of the penis is common but does not always occur. Pain or burning when you pass urine. This may be confused with a urine infection. You may have soreness or irritation inside the penis, or a feeling of wanting to pass urine frequently.

How long before a GUM diagnosis can you contact someone?

The GUM clinic will protect your confidentiality but, if they confirm you have an infection, they may want to contact anyone you had sex with up to three months before you were diagnosed. This is called 'contact tracing'. Medicines called antibiotics will usually clear an infection.

Can a man develop urethritis?

Any man can develop urethritis . However, it's most common among sexually active man under 25 who have recently changed their sexual partner. It's also more likely if you have unprotected sex (without a condom). If you have, or have had any STI, you are at more risk of getting another.

Do you need a swab for syphilis?

Men who have sex with men may also need to have swabs taken from the back of the throat (pharynx) and back passage (rectum).

What is urethral discharge?

Urethral discharge can be a sign of an infection, called “urethritis.” Most often, this type of infection is the result of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). The same bacteria and protozoa that cause certain STDs such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis also cause urethritis.

What is the urethra in men?

Urethra is a tube like structure which is present inside a body. In healthy males, the urethra is wide enough for urine to flow freely through it. A urethral stricture is when the urethra narrows down. Urinary flow can be slightly or severely restricted. Trichomoniasis is a common cause of vaginitis.

What is the name of the infection that causes urination?

It occurs in reaction to an infection by certain bacteria. Most often, these bacteria are in the genitals (Chlamydia trachomatis) or the bowel (Campylobacter, Salmonella, Shigella and Yersinia). Urethritis is when the urethra is inflamed. Urethra carries the urine through a tube from the bladder to outside the body.

What are the primary pathogens associated with urethritis?

The primary pathogens associated with urethritis are Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Urethral discharge culture is a laboratory test done on men and boys to identify germs in the urethra that may be causing an infection (urethritis).

What are the symptoms of urethritis in men?

Symptoms of urethritis in men typically include urethral discharge, penile itching or tingling, and dysuria. A diagnosis can be made on the basis of any one of the following is present: discharge, a positive result on a leukocyte esterase test in first-void urine, or at least 10 white blood cells per high-power field in urine sediment.

What is the name of the infection that affects the lower urinary tract?

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is an infection that affects part of the urinary tract. When it affects the lower urinary tract it is known as a simple cystitis (a bladder infection) and when it affects the upper urinary tract it is known as pyelonephritis (a kidney infection).

How many glasses of water should a nurse drink a day for a urinary tract infection?

The nurse is encouraging the client with recurrent urinary tract infections to increase his fluid intake to 8 large glasses of fluids daily. The client states he frequently drinks water and all of the following.

Where does the nursing assistant place the drainage bag?

The nursing assistant keeps the catheter and drainage bag together when moving the client. The nursing assistant places the drainage bag on the client's abdomen for transport. The nursing assistant places the drainage bag on the lower area of the wheelchair for transport.

Causes

  • Any man can develop urethritis. However, it's most common among sexually active man under 25 who have recently changed their sexual partner. It's also more likely if you have unprotected sex (without a condom). If you have, or have had any STI, you are at more risk of getting another.
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Symptoms

  1. A fluid (discharge) from the end of the penis is common but does not always occur.
  2. Pain or burning when you pass urine. This may be confused with a urine infection.
  3. You may have soreness or irritation inside the penis, or a feeling of wanting to pass urine frequently.
  4. Some men with urethritis never develop any symptoms. For example, up to half of men with c…
  1. A fluid (discharge) from the end of the penis is common but does not always occur.
  2. Pain or burning when you pass urine. This may be confused with a urine infection.
  3. You may have soreness or irritation inside the penis, or a feeling of wanting to pass urine frequently.
  4. Some men with urethritis never develop any symptoms. For example, up to half of men with chlamydial infection(the most common cause of NGU) do not have any symptoms.

How Does Urethritis Progress?

  • Occasionally, symptoms may clear without treatment but may take months to do so. If your condition has been caused by an infection, germs (bacteria) may still be present, even if the symptoms have gone. Therefore, you are still likely to be infectious and can still pass on the infection even if symptoms go. One bacterium that commonly causes inflammation of the ureth…
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What Should I Do If I Have Symptoms of Urethritis?

  1. If you suspect that you have urethritis then contact your local genitourinary (GUM) clinic - find one from the Family Planning Association's 'Find a Clinic' service- or see your GP.
  2. You may be asked to have tests for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis, as people with inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) sometimes have these conditions as well.
  3. Men who have sex with men may also need to have swabs taken from the back of the throat …
  1. If you suspect that you have urethritis then contact your local genitourinary (GUM) clinic - find one from the Family Planning Association's 'Find a Clinic' service- or see your GP.
  2. You may be asked to have tests for HIV, hepatitis and syphilis, as people with inflammation of the urethra (urethritis) sometimes have these conditions as well.
  3. Men who have sex with men may also need to have swabs taken from the back of the throat (pharynx) and back passage (rectum).
  4. The GUM clinic will protect your confidentiality but, if they confirm you have an infection, they may want to contact anyone you had sex with up to three months before you were diagnosed. This is c...