The nurse in a urology clinic is asked by a parent why her son does not get urinary tract infections ...

Correct Answer: 1,2,4
Rationale 1: The male urethra is longer than the female urethra.
Rationale 2: The male scrotum is a physical barrier between the urethra and the anus and does allow for added protection against UTIs for males.
Rationale 3: The male urethra is not shorter than the female urethra.
Rationale 4: Improper wiping after urination and defecation can increase the risk of developing a UTI.
Rationale 5: There is an anatomical difference between the male and female urinary tracts that places females at an increased risk for UTIs.
Global Rationale: The male and female urinary tracts are identical, with the exception of the urethra, which is shorter in the female and located closer to the anus. This anatomic difference results in the periurethral region of the female being populated by bacteria that are normally restricted to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and could cause UTIs. In addition to the male having a longer urethra, the scrotum provides a physical barrier between the urethra and the anus. These anatomic differences result in a higher risk of UTI in females.