ATI REAL LIFE PN MED SURG 3 URINARY
TRACT INFECTION UTI AND UROSEPSIS
100 COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX PN
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST 2026 EDITION
Urinary Tract Infection & Urosepsis NCLEX-PN Practice
Exam
1. A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the medical record of a
client with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). Which
laboratory result should the nurse identify as the most definitive
indicator of a UTI?
A. Urinalysis showing 2+ protein
B. Urine culture and sensitivity showing >100,000 colony-
forming units (CFUs)/mL
C. Serum white blood cell (WBC) count of 11,000/mm³
D. Urinalysis positive for ketones
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: A urine culture and sensitivity indicating more
than 100,000 CFUs/mL is the gold standard for confirming a
urinary tract infection. Proteinuria, elevated serum WBCs, and
ketonuria can be caused by various other physiological factors
or conditions.
2. A PN is caring for an 82-year-old client who has suddenly
developed confusion and agitation. The client’s vital signs are
within normal limits. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Request a prescription for a sedative medication.
B. Obtain a clean-catch or catheterized urine specimen for
urinalysis.
C. Apply wrist restraints to ensure client safety.
D. Place the client on strict bed rest and dim the room lights.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Older adult clients often do not present with
typical signs of a UTI, such as fever or dysuria. Instead, an
abrupt change in mental status, confusion, or agitation is a
hallmark manifestation of a UTI in the gerontological
population.
3. A client is prescribed oral ciprofloxacin for a severe UTI. Which
instruction must the PN reinforce during teaching?
A. "Take this medication with a full glass of milk or yogurt."
B. "Avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen when outdoors."
C. "Stop taking the medication as soon as your symptoms
resolve."
D. "Expect your urine to turn a bright orange-red color."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin cause
photosensitivity, increasing the risk of severe sunburns. Calcium-
rich dairy products can impair absorption and should be
avoided close to dosing. Antibiotics must be finished completely,
and they do not turn the urine orange.
4. A PN is gathering data from a male client reporting urinary
burning. Following the PQRST symptom analysis framework,
which question evaluates the "Radiation" or "Region" of the pain?
,A. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the burning?"
B. "Does the pain travel up into your back or flank area?"
C. "What makes the pain feel better or worse?"
D. "When did you first notice this burning sensation?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Asking if the pain travels to the back or flank
assesses the region and radiation of the pain, helping determine
if the lower UTI has progressed to the upper urinary tract
(pyelonephritis).
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of recurrent UTIs.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "I will drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day."
B. "I will make sure to wipe from front to back after using the
toilet."
C. "I will take a daily bubble bath to keep the perineal area clean."
D. "I should empty my bladder immediately following sexual
intercourse."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATiONAlE: Bubble baths contain harsh chemicals and
fragrances that can irritate the urethral meatus, disrupt normal
flora, and increase the risk of introducing bacteria into the
urinary tract.
6. A PN is monitoring a client who has an indwelling urinary
catheter and a suspected UTI. The client’s blood pressure is 88/52
mm Hg, heart rate is 112/min, and temperature is 101.8°F
(38.8°C). Which condition should the nurse suspect?
, A. Acute glomerulonephritis
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Urosepsis
D. Autonomic dysreflexia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATiONAlE: Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension in a client
with a UTI are classic signs of systemic inflammatory response
syndrome (SIRS) progressing to urosepsis, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention.
7. A client with a UTI is prescribed phenazopyridine. What key
side effect should the PN instruct the client to expect?
A. Blurred vision and dry mouth
B. Orange-red discoloration of the urine
C. Intermittent muscle cramping
D. Severe tinnitus and dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Phenazopyridine is an azo dye that functions as
a local urinary analgesic. It routinely dyes the urine a distinct
bright orange or red, which can stain clothing and contact
lenses.
8. The PN is preparing to obtain a sterile urine sample from a
client’s closed indwelling catheter system. Which sequence of
actions is correct?
A. Disconnect the catheter tube from the drainage bag, pour urine
out, and reconnect.
B. Clamp the tubing below the port, wipe the port with an
antiseptic swab, attach a syringe, and aspirate urine.
TRACT INFECTION UTI AND UROSEPSIS
100 COMPREHENSIVE NCLEX PN
PRACTICE QUESTIONS WITH DETAILED
RATIONALES LATEST 2026 EDITION
Urinary Tract Infection & Urosepsis NCLEX-PN Practice
Exam
1. A practical nurse (PN) is reviewing the medical record of a
client with a suspected urinary tract infection (UTI). Which
laboratory result should the nurse identify as the most definitive
indicator of a UTI?
A. Urinalysis showing 2+ protein
B. Urine culture and sensitivity showing >100,000 colony-
forming units (CFUs)/mL
C. Serum white blood cell (WBC) count of 11,000/mm³
D. Urinalysis positive for ketones
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: A urine culture and sensitivity indicating more
than 100,000 CFUs/mL is the gold standard for confirming a
urinary tract infection. Proteinuria, elevated serum WBCs, and
ketonuria can be caused by various other physiological factors
or conditions.
2. A PN is caring for an 82-year-old client who has suddenly
developed confusion and agitation. The client’s vital signs are
within normal limits. Which action should the nurse take first?
,A. Request a prescription for a sedative medication.
B. Obtain a clean-catch or catheterized urine specimen for
urinalysis.
C. Apply wrist restraints to ensure client safety.
D. Place the client on strict bed rest and dim the room lights.
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Older adult clients often do not present with
typical signs of a UTI, such as fever or dysuria. Instead, an
abrupt change in mental status, confusion, or agitation is a
hallmark manifestation of a UTI in the gerontological
population.
3. A client is prescribed oral ciprofloxacin for a severe UTI. Which
instruction must the PN reinforce during teaching?
A. "Take this medication with a full glass of milk or yogurt."
B. "Avoid direct sunlight and wear sunscreen when outdoors."
C. "Stop taking the medication as soon as your symptoms
resolve."
D. "Expect your urine to turn a bright orange-red color."
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin cause
photosensitivity, increasing the risk of severe sunburns. Calcium-
rich dairy products can impair absorption and should be
avoided close to dosing. Antibiotics must be finished completely,
and they do not turn the urine orange.
4. A PN is gathering data from a male client reporting urinary
burning. Following the PQRST symptom analysis framework,
which question evaluates the "Radiation" or "Region" of the pain?
,A. "On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the burning?"
B. "Does the pain travel up into your back or flank area?"
C. "What makes the pain feel better or worse?"
D. "When did you first notice this burning sensation?"
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Asking if the pain travels to the back or flank
assesses the region and radiation of the pain, helping determine
if the lower UTI has progressed to the upper urinary tract
(pyelonephritis).
5. A nurse is caring for a client with a history of recurrent UTIs.
Which statement by the client indicates a need for further
instruction?
A. "I will drink at least 2 to 3 liters of water every day."
B. "I will make sure to wipe from front to back after using the
toilet."
C. "I will take a daily bubble bath to keep the perineal area clean."
D. "I should empty my bladder immediately following sexual
intercourse."
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATiONAlE: Bubble baths contain harsh chemicals and
fragrances that can irritate the urethral meatus, disrupt normal
flora, and increase the risk of introducing bacteria into the
urinary tract.
6. A PN is monitoring a client who has an indwelling urinary
catheter and a suspected UTI. The client’s blood pressure is 88/52
mm Hg, heart rate is 112/min, and temperature is 101.8°F
(38.8°C). Which condition should the nurse suspect?
, A. Acute glomerulonephritis
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Urosepsis
D. Autonomic dysreflexia
CORRECT ANSWER: C
RATiONAlE: Fever, tachycardia, and hypotension in a client
with a UTI are classic signs of systemic inflammatory response
syndrome (SIRS) progressing to urosepsis, a life-threatening
complication requiring immediate intervention.
7. A client with a UTI is prescribed phenazopyridine. What key
side effect should the PN instruct the client to expect?
A. Blurred vision and dry mouth
B. Orange-red discoloration of the urine
C. Intermittent muscle cramping
D. Severe tinnitus and dizziness
CORRECT ANSWER: B
RATiONAlE: Phenazopyridine is an azo dye that functions as
a local urinary analgesic. It routinely dyes the urine a distinct
bright orange or red, which can stain clothing and contact
lenses.
8. The PN is preparing to obtain a sterile urine sample from a
client’s closed indwelling catheter system. Which sequence of
actions is correct?
A. Disconnect the catheter tube from the drainage bag, pour urine
out, and reconnect.
B. Clamp the tubing below the port, wipe the port with an
antiseptic swab, attach a syringe, and aspirate urine.
