A nurse is caring for a patient who asks the nurse why females are more likely than males to contract bladder infections. The nurse knows teaching has been effective when the patient identifies which of the following as a female risk factor for bladder infections?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The closer proximity of the female urethral opening (meatus) to the bladder increases the risk of bacterial colonization and subsequent infection. In males, the length of the urethra provides a greater distance for bacteria to travel before reaching the bladder, reducing the risk of infection. Factors such as pH and frequency of urination may also contribute, but the closer proximity of the urinary meatus is the primary difference between males and females that increases the risk of bladder infection in females.

A Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Asks the Nurse