National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) Practice Exam

Which statement about lower urinary tract infections is FALSE?

1. The most common offending organism is bacterial—Escherichia coli.

2. Urinalysis can be used to detect the presence of infection.

3. Females are more likely to have upper UTI than males.

4. Patients with UTIs may complain of ipsilateral shoulder pain.

The correct answer is: Females are more likely to have upper UTI than males.

The statement that females are more likely to have upper urinary tract infections (UTIs) than males is indeed inaccurate. While it is true that females have a higher incidence of lower urinary tract infections due to their shorter urethra and its proximity to the anus, the likelihood of developing upper UTIs, such as pyelonephritis, is more significant in males because they are at a higher risk for complications like urinary obstruction and prostate issues, which can lead to kidney infections. In lower UTIs, Escherichia coli is the most common offending organism, and urinalysis is a valuable diagnostic tool to detect the presence of infection by identifying bacteria, leukocytes, or nitrites. Patients with UTIs may also experience referred pain, including shoulder pain, due to the shared neural pathways and visceral pain mechanisms that can cause discomfort in areas like the shoulder, particularly in relation to kidney involvement in the infection.