Which sign is a common indicator of infection in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?

Which sign is a common indicator of infection in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter?

• A. Leukocytosis
• B. Fever
• C. Leukopenia
• D. Hypotension

Answer: (A)

An infection triggers the immune system to ramp up white blood cell production. This often shows up as leukocytosis, an elevated white blood cell count, which is a common sign of infection in someone with an indwelling urinary catheter. Fever can occur with infections, but it isn’t present in all patients, especially older adults or those with catheter-related infections. Leukopenia (a low white blood cell count) would indicate a weakened immune response rather than infection, and hypotension is more a sign of sepsis or shock rather than a routine infection indicator. So leukocytosis best reflects the body's response to infection in this scenario.

An infection triggers the immune system to ramp up white blood cell production. This often shows up as leukocytosis, an elevated white blood cell count, which is a common sign of infection in someone with an indwelling urinary catheter. Fever can occur with infections, but it isn’t present in all patients, especially older adults or those with catheter-related infections. Leukopenia (a low white blood cell count) would indicate a weakened immune response rather than infection, and hypotension is more a sign of sepsis or shock rather than a routine infection indicator. So leukocytosis best reflects the body's response to infection in this scenario.