Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Frequency in an Elderly Patient

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 Diagnosis and Treatment of Urinary Frequency in an Elderly Patient

A 75-year-old male presenting with urinary frequency and possible confusion related to

the bathroom is a cause for concern. As the patient is elderly, several diagnostic tests should be

performed to ascertain the cause of these symptoms. The first step should be a physical

examination. This would include checking for signs of dehydration, fever, abdominal pain, or

tenderness, as well as any neurological deficits. It would also be important to note any changes in

mentation.

The next step should be a urinalysis. This would be used to detect any infection, as well

as to rule out any underlying metabolic disorder. In addition, a urine culture should be done to

detect any bacterial infection. Thirdly, Serum creatinine should be done to check for kidney

function. It is important to check for this as it can be a sign of chronic kidney disease, which is

especially prevalent in elderly patients. A complete blood count (CBC) should also be done.

This will help to identify any underlying anemia, as well as any signs of infection or

inflammation. In addition, a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) should be done to check for

any electrolyte abnormalities or other metabolic issues. A neurological exam should be

performed to assess any changes in the patient’s mentation. This can be done by asking the

patient simple questions, such as his name and address, as well as testing his memory.

Based on the results of the diagnostic tests, a plan of treatment can be formulated. If there

is a urinary tract infection (UTI), the patient should be prescribed antibiotics to treat the

infection. Fluids should also be encouraged to help flush out the bacteria. If the patient is found

to be dehydrated, he should be placed on IV fluids to rehydrate him. If the CMP reveals any

electrolyte abnormalities, these should be corrected as needed. If the patient is found to have
chronic kidney disease, he should be referred to a nephrologist for further evaluation and

treatment. If the neurological exam reveals any changes in mentation, further evaluation should

be done to rule out any underlying neurological disorder. If the CBC reveals any signs of anemia,

iron supplementation or other treatments may be necessary to correct the anemia.

Reference.
 Chabot, J., Desmarais, P., & Stiffel, M. (2021). COVID-19 in Long-Term Care. In The

Care of the Older Person (pp. 87-93). CRC Press. (Chabot et al.,2021)

Klein, R. D., & Hultgren, S. J. (2020). Urinary tract infections: microbial pathogenesis,

host–pathogen interactions and new treatment strategies. Nature Reviews Microbiology, 18(4),

211-226.