Urinary Tract Infection and its Manifestation: A Case Study

Running head: NURSING
NURSING
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author Note:

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In close association to the provided case scenario, it can be mentioned that the 72 year
old client, Mr. Kirkman had presented with the complaint of burning sensation experienced
while urinating. His complaint also included a sensation of pain within the lower abdominal
region which was gradually spreading towards his right. The case study further reports that
Mr. kirkman was diagnosed with the problem of UTI (Urinary Tract Infection). Research
Studies mention that the pathophysiology of the urinary tract infection is directed by means
of three pathways which include the lymphatic, haematogenous as well as the ascending route
(Barber et al., 2013). It should be noted in this context that the clinical manifestation of the
infection is initiated once the pathogenic bacteria invades the human body. Typically the
pathogenic bacteria has been reported to colonise within the periuretharal region and invades
its way up to the urinary bladder advancing from the urethra (Flores-Mireles et al., 2015).
The pathogenic bacteria replicates, multiplies and produces biofilms within the epithelial
cells where it reaches through the fimbria (Hall, McGillicuddy & Kaplan, 2014). The
multiplication of the bacteria ultimately causes the infection. The manifestation of the urinary
tract infection is characterized by a multitude of symptoms that comprise of the frequent urge
to urinate (Barber et al., 2013). On account of the infection, the affected patients often
experience a burning sensation while urinating. The pain complaint is due to the
inflammation of the urinary bladder which happens on account of bacterial manifestation. It
should be noted in this context, that the inflammation of the urinary bladder typically
constricts the urinary bladder which results in intense pain and a condition known as dysuria
(Rosen & Klumpp, 2014). Inflammation of the urinary bladder significantly reduces the
ability of the bladder to void normally and causes discomfort and pain. Further, research
studies report that the pathogenic bacteria actively colonize within the ureter which
subsequently invades the kidney and causes pain within the lower abdominal region (DiPiro
et al., 2014). The human physiology suggests that the localization of the bacterial pathogen

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within the kidney is directed by the fimbria. This subsequently results in transmission of the
infection to the parenchyma and causes inflammation within the adjacent area giving rise to a
condition known as pyelonephritis (Wagenlehner et al., 2014). The condition of
pyelonephritis causes tubular damage that further causes a condition known as interstitial
oedema (Welk et al., 2017). Therefore, to summarize the findings of the case study, it can be
mentioned that the characteristic symptoms of pain and burning sensation experienced by the
patient can be attributed to bacterial colonization, transmission of infection and inflammation
caused within the urinary tract of the patient.
On the basis of the clinical evaluation presented, it can be said that the physical health
condition of the patient is deteriorating at a rapid pace. The heart rate of the patient was
reported to be 135 beats per minute which was higher than the standard range of about 60 to
100 beats per minute. Research studies suggest that once the pathogen invades the
parenchymal region it elicits an inflammatory reaction which gives rise to a condition known
as polynephritis (Hall et al., 2014; Wagenlehner et al., 2014). Further, research studies
mention that the condition, if left untreated could lead to urosepsis (DiPiro et al., 2014; Hall
et al., 2014). Urosepsis can be defined as a condition where the urinary tract infection
advances from the urinary tract and enters into the blood stream that generates systematic
infection (Ratzinger et al., 2013). The systematic infection typically circulates through the
blood stream inside the body and leads to the development of sepsis. The condition of sepsis
leads to problems that comprise of lower blood pressure, problem with breathing, augmented
heart rate as well as abnormal urine output. Therefore, it can be clearly explained on the
basis of the information discussed above that the patient was suffering from urinary tract
infection in combination with sepsis. In addition to this, on the basis of the clinical
observation data, it was also found that the patient had low blood pressure, equivalent to
80/42 against the normal range 120/80 mm HG. Research studies mention that tubular