Capella FPX 4025 Assessment 4

Capella FPX 4025 Assessment 4

Student Name

Capella University

NURS-FPX4025 Research and Evidence-Based Decision Making

Prof. Name:

Date

Presenting Your PICO(T) Process Findings to Your Professional Peers

Urinary Tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent and burdensome illness. Symptoms include urgency, frequency, dysuria, and suprapubic discomfort. UTIs lead to repeated healthcare visits and a reduced quality of life. Around 41% of females in the United States will develop a UTI during their period, and about 10% experience one annually (Bono et al., 2025). Effective strategies are vital to minimize recurrence and reduce healthcare utilization. This paper focuses on the role of evidence-based prophylactic antibiotic therapy in recurrent UTIs. It will present recent data on antibiotic strategies to improve UTI outcomes in reproductive-aged women.

Diagnosis: Prognosis, Potential Risks, and Associated Complications

UTIs are a serious and persistent health issue for adult women, where the body struggles to fight off repeated infections. It leads to elevated risk factors like kidney damage and sepsis. UTIs are marked by symptoms of systemic disruption, including recurrent urinary urgency, dysuria, and in severe cases, fever and flank pain (Bono et al., 2025). One of the most feared complications of recurrent UTIs is frequent hospital readmissions. It is often due to prolonged recovery periods and excess fluid build-up caused by infection-related problems. Recurrence is common, with nearly 50% of women experiencing a second infection within a year. These infections are most prevalent in women between 16 and 35 (Bono et al., 2025). This illness places financial strain on healthcare systems. In the United States, around 10 million adults make appointments each year.

It comprises 2 million emergency visits, are for evaluating and treating UTIs. The annual cost of these visits is estimated to be $1.6 billion (Wang & LaSala, 2021).Comorbidities cause implications for patients with recurrent UTIs. For example, comorbidities such as diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and nervous complaints increase the risk of recurrent UTIs in older women. A Kaplan-Meier investigation presented that people with diabetes, CKD, and more signs of frailty (based on the FRAIL scale) were more likely to develop a UTI compared to those without any frailty signs (p < 0.001). A Cox regression model confirmed that the risk of getting a UTI increased with the severity of frailty. People with 1, 2, or 3 or more FRAIL items had a 19%, 24%, and 43% greater hazard of UTI, respectively, associated to those with none (all p < 0.001).

Capella FPX 4025 Assessment 4

UTI risk increased by 11% for each additional FRAIL item (Chao et al., 2021). Risk factors, including postmenopausal hormonal changes, incomplete bladder emptying, and urinary incontinence, contribute to UTI recurrence. The prevalence varies across groups. It affects 4.5% of individuals aged 16–50, 15% aged 51–70, and 22% over 70. People with type 2 diabetes are more prone to urinary tract infections because their urinary system becomes more vulnerable to bacterial invasions. The forecast occurrence proportion of T2D is 6,058 per 10,000 persons. It underlines the clinical status of this comorbidity (Bodke et al., 2023). Clinicians comprehend the range of UTI signs in peoples with hyperglycemia to guide early detection and intervention.

Psychosocial factors such as depression, cognitive decline and limited access to healthcare rise the risk of unmanaged signs and repeated hospitalizations. Chronic outcomes include pyelonephritis, antibiotic resistance requiring hospitalization (Bodke et al., 2023). For instance, a patient with recurrent UTIs initially presents with mild urinary discomfort. The disease progresses to renal complications without standard care. Early detection, patient education and preventive approaches such as prophylactic antibiotic therapy are critical to reducing complications and improving outcomes (Alghoraibi et al., 2023). Evidence-based approaches targeting risk factors are essential for managing repeated UTIs in mature females.

Formulating the Research Question

For addressing repeated UTIs in females, the following PICO(T) inquiry was developed: In adult females with repeated UTIs (P), how does the practice of daily prophylactic antibiotics (I) compared to no prophylaxis or standard care without preventive treatment (C) affect the recurrence rate and patient outcomes (O) over 12 months (T)? This inquiry aims to improve patient care by assessing the efficiency of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing UTI recurrence and enhancing long-term health outcomes.

This question aligns with the PICO(T) framework:

• Population (P) focuses on adult women with recurrent UTIs.
• Intervention (I) is the use of daily prophylactic antibiotic therapy.
• Comparison (C) involves no antibiotic prophylaxis or standard care without treatment.
• Outcome (O) reduces the frequency of UTI recurrence.
• Timeframe (T) is 12 months.

This query reflects each section of the PICO(T) procedure. Population (P) includes adult women with recurrent UTIs. It is a group that faces recurrent infections that lead to lasting problems and decrease the standard of living. Intervention (I) focuses on daily prophylactic antibiotics to prevent UTI recurrence. This approach reduces infection frequency and enhances the patient’s health rather than relying on reactive treatments after infection onset (Luchristt et al., 2024). Comparison (C) involves no prophylactic or standard care, where UTIs are treated as they occur, without preventive measures. The Outcome (O) centers on reducing the recurrence rate of UTIs and improving patient outcomes. It includes reduced hospital visits and better quality of life. The Time (T) is 12 months. It provides sufficient duration to evaluate the lasting efficacy of prophylactic antibiotics in reducing UTI recurrences. This planned investigation allows for pointed research into the effectiveness of preventive antibiotic treatment for recurrent UTIs. This provides evidence for improved patient care approaches.

Summary of Evidence from Peer-Reviewed Sources

An inclusive investigation of research articles recognized the essential inquiries into prophylactic antibiotic care or persistent UTIs in females. The literature research was conducted methodically using digital databases. It embraces PubMed, CINAHL, the Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar. Each resource was analytically observed using the CRAAP criteria: currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose to guarantee relevance and legitimacy (Kalidas, 2021). Four reliable sources were utilized to assess the efficiency of prophylactic antibiotic treatment for recurrent UTIs. Using a systematic review method, Luchristt et al. (2024), highlighted that one-month plan of antibiotics reduced recurrent UTI risk over 12 months in women compared to ≥3-month prophylactic regimens with lower daily doses. This study is a credible resource. It is based on research published in the reputable journal “Urology,” providing strong evidence for the effectiveness of defensive treatments in managing recurrent UTIs.

Alghoraibi et al. (2023), provided a robust indication of the efficacy of daily prophylactic antibiotics compared to no treatment in averting persistent UTIs among females. The review explores that 477 adults were studied, 227 had recurrent UTIs, and 250 had a single episode. Continuous antibiotic prophylaxis, mainly with Nitrofurantoin, Bactrim, or amoxicillin-clavulanic acid, was prescribed to 55% of patients, with Bactrim favored in younger, post-transplant, and post-urological procedure patients. Nitrofurantoin is more common in immobilized patients or those with a neurogenic bladder. Prophylaxis reduced recurrent UTIs, emergency visits, and hospital admissions (P < 0.001). Published in the journal Epidemiology and Global Health. This research supports antibiotics as a strategy to manage recurrent UTIs. 

Another important resource, the American Urological Association (AUA) guidelines, recommends using antibiotics to prevent recurrent UTIs in women with frequent infections (AUA, 2025). These guidelines are widely regarded as credible in the field of urology and are essential for clinical decision-making. A systematic review by Liu et al. (2020), found that eight randomized controlled trials found that antibiotic prophylaxis after the removal of temporary urinary catheters (≤14 days) reduces the risk of UTIs, with a pooled risk ratio of 0.47. While only two discrete studies reported benefits, subgroup analyses revealed that patients over 60 years of age, those with catheters in place for more than five days, and those receiving trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole showed the benefit. Given concerns about antibiotic overuse, the findings suggest that prophylactic antibiotics are suitable for high-risk patients. This study was published in the highly praised and peer-reviewed American Journal of Infection Control.

Evidence-Based Response to the PICO(T) Question

The research consistently supports the PICO(T) question by showing that prophylactic antibiotic therapy is linked to better outcomes in women with recurrent UTIs compared to no treatment. Recurrent UTIs contribute to prolonged symptoms, frequent medical visits, and reduced quality of life in affected women. Effective interventions like daily antibiotics and other preventive measures can improve patient outcomes by reducing recurrence rates and minimizing the need for emergency care (Luchristt et al., 2024). Liu et al. (2020), found that prolonged antibiotic therapy reduces the risk of recurrent infections. It supports its use as a preventative measure. The conclusion relies on several key assumptions like that females with recurring UTIs are likely to adhere to preventive treatments and that healthcare providers can monitor and adjust treatment regimens. Evidence-based interventions improve patient health. Socioeconomic status, care access, and mental health influence outcomes. Future research should explore personalized approaches to address these variables and refine treatment strategies for recurrent UTIs.

Essential Care Steps Guided by Evidence-Based Recommendations

Research-based strategies are essential to enhance the outcomes of women with recurrent UTIs by executing preventive measures. The process begins with a thorough clinical assessment to evaluate the frequency and severity of UTIs. It guides the appropriate therapy choice. Early diagnosis and risk stratification help identify patients benefit from lasting antibiotic prophylaxis. It decreases the likelihood of repeated infections and associated complications. This phase is critical as it safeguards that subsequent treatments, such as daily antibiotics, are tailored to the patient’s needs, improving safety and effectiveness. The next step involves adopting evidence-based interventions like low-dose antibiotics.

It was presented to decrease UTI recurrence and expand recovery results (Alghoraibi et al., 2023). These strategies prevent infections and minimize the need for emergency care or hospitalization in high-risk patients with frequent recurrences. The final step is educating patients about self-care, encouraging them to monitor their symptoms, maintain proper hydration, and adhere to prescribed therapies. Patient education fosters greater involvement in treatment plans. It improved compliance and health outcomes (AUA, 2025). These approaches are vital for decreasing the frequency of repeated UTIs, enhancing quality of life, and minimizing the need for extra medical interventions.

Conclusion

The conclusions from this research highlight the importance of executing evidence-based approaches to manage recurrent UTIs in adult women. Prophylactic antibiotic therapy has proven to be a current intervention in reducing the recurrence rate of UTIs. It improves patient outcomes and minimizes healthcare utilization. Healthcare providers can avoid the frequent onset of infections. It enhances the standard of living and reduces emergency care visits. 

References

Alghoraibi, Asidan, A., Aljawaied, Almukhayzim, Alsaydan, Alamer, Baharoon, Masuadi, Shukairi, Layqah, L., & Baharoon. (2023). Recurrent urinary tract infection in adult patients, risk factors, and efficacy of low dose prophylactic antibiotics therapy. Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health, 13(2), 200–211. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-023-00105-4

American Urological Association. (2025). Recurrent Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: AUA/CUA/SUFU Guideline (2022) – American Urological Association. Www.auanet.org. https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/recurrent-uti

Bodke, H., Wagh, V., & Kakar, G. (2023). Diabetes mellitus and prevalence of other comorbid conditions: A systematic review. Cureus, 15(11), e49374. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.49374

Bono, M. J., Reygaert, W. C., & Leslie, S. W. (2025). Uncomplicated urinary tract infections. National Library of Medicine; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470195/

Chao, C.-T., Lee, S.-Y., Wang, J., Chien, K.-L., & Huang, J.-W. (2021). Frailty increases the risk for developing urinary tract infection among 79,887 patients with diabetic mellitus and chronic kidney disease. BMC Geriatrics, 21(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02299-3

Kalidas, E. A. J. (2021). The effectiveness of CRAAP test in evaluating credibility of sources. International Journal of TESOL & Education, 1(2), 1-14. https://www.i-jte.org/index.php/journal/article/view/25

Capella FPX 4025 Assessment 4

Liu, L., Jian, Z., Li, H., & Wang, K. (2020). Antibiotic prophylaxis after extraction of urinary catheter prevents urinary tract infections: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Infection Control, 49(2), 247–254. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2020.07.034

Luchristt, D., Siddiqui, N. Y., Bruton, Y., & Visco, A. G. (2024). Extended treatment-dose antibiotic therapy versus low-dose prophylaxis for the management of recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in peri- and postmenopausal women. Urology, 198, 29–35. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.urology.2024.12.029

Wang, R., & LaSala, C. (2021). Role of antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infection management: A cost-effectiveness analysis. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 225(5), 550.e1–550.e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2021.08.014