The nurse is caring for a female preschool-age patient with a urinary tract infection. What measures ...

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Urinary tract infections occur more often in girls than boys because the urethra is shorter in girls and, because it is located close to the vagina and anus, vulvovaginitis or rectal bacteria can easily spread to the urethra. Girls should be taught early to wipe themselves from front to back after voiding and defecating to avoid contaminating the urethra. The child should be encouraged to drink more fluid to prevent concentrated urine. Activity level does not influence the development of urinary tract infections. There is a suggested correlation between the use of hot tubs and urinary tract infections in girls so use of these should be discouraged or minimized.