Posted: August 16th, 2017

When caring for a patient with an uncomplicated, mild urinary tract infection (UTI), the nurse knows that recent studies have shown which of the following drugs to be a good choice for short-course (e.g. 3-day) therapy?

When caring for a patient with an uncomplicated, mild urinary tract infection (UTI), the nurse knows that recent studies have shown which of the following drugs to be a good choice for short-course (e.g. 3-day) therapy?
a) Levofloxacin (Levaquin)
Levofloxacin, a floroquinolone, is a good choice for short-course therapy of uncomplicated, mild to moderate UTI. Clinical trial data show high patient compliance with the 3-day regimen (95.6%) and a high eradication rate for all pathogens (96.4%).
b) Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ, Bactrim, Septra)
Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole is a commonly used medication for treatment of a complicated UTI, such as pyelonephritis.
c) Nitrofurantoin (Macrodantin, Furadantin)
Nitrofurantoin is a commonly used medication for treatment of a complicated UTI, such as pyelonephritis.
d) Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
Ciprofloxacin is a good choice for treatment of a complicated UTI. Recent studies have found ciprofloxacin to be significantly more effective than TMP-SMX in community-based patients and in nursing home residents