MEDizzy - A 3-year-old child is brought to the physician’s office by

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Pediatrics V

A 3-year-old child is brought to the physician’s office by the parent. The parent states that the child was completely toilet trained but has been “having accidents” recently. The parent also tells the nurse that the child is voiding more often than usual and that the urine has a strong odor. What is the best response by the nurse?

ExplanationThe symptoms described (frequency, urgency, and a strong odor to urine) are those of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urinalysis is indicated. It is true that preschool children may regress when they are under stress. However, that does not explain the frequency and the strong odor of the urine. Although a recently toilet-trained child may have an occasional “accident,” recurring episodes should be further investigated. Not all persons with a UTI have a fever. If the child does have a UTI as suspected, the treatment is usually oral antimicrobial agents. There are no data to suggest that this child needs to be hospitalized.