Page 1897 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

CHAPTER 55

Renal and Urinary Medications

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Priority Concepts
Elimination; Safety

I. Urinary Tract Antiseptics
A. Description

1. Urinary tract antiseptics inhibit the growth of

bacteria in the urine (Box 55-1).
2. Act as disinfectants within the urinary tract
3. Used to treat acute cystitis or urinary tract infections
(UTIs)
4. Urinary tract antiseptics do not achieve effective
antibacterial concentrations in blood or tissues and
therefore cannot be used for infections outside the
urinary tract.
B. Side and adverse effects and nursing considerations
1. Fosfomycin
a. The medication is available as granules
that must be dissolved; instruct the
client to mix the contents of a package
in about ½ cup (120 mL) of cold water,
stir well, and drink all of the liquid.
b. Medications that increase
gastrointestinal motility reduce the
absorption of fosfomycin.
2. Methenamine
a. Used to treat chronic UTIs but not
recommended for acute infections
b. Administer after meals and at bedtime
to minimize gastric distress.
c. Chronic high-dose therapy can cause
bladder irritation.
d. Methenamine can cause crystalluria
and should not be used in clients with
renal impairment.
e. Decomposition of the medication

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