Word parts
What it means
Swelling and irritation of the bladderBLAD-erThe hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.cyst/o bladder (as in cystitis)Full entry , most often from a bacterial infection that has moved up the urethrayoo-REE-thruhThe tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body.Full entry , a lower urinary tract infectionYUR-ih-nair-ee TRAKT in-FEK-shunAn infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.Full entry . It is more common in women because the urethra is short. It causes burning with urination, an urge to urinate often, low belly pain and sometimes cloudy, strong-smelling or bloody urine. Older adults may show only new confusion.
For the nurse
Collect a clean-catch urine specimenSPES-uh-minA sample of blood, urine, stool, tissue or other body material collected for testing.Full entry before the first antibiotic dose if ordered. Teach plenty of fluids, emptying the bladder often, wiping front to back and urinating after sex, and finishing the antibiotic.
At a glance
| Spanish | cistitis |
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Related terms
urinary tract infection
An infection anywhere in the urinary tract: the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra.
-itis
A word ending that means inflammation.
bladder
The hollow, stretchy organ in the lower belly that stores urine until it leaves the body.
catheter-associated urinary tract infection
A urinary tract infection that develops in a person who has, or recently had, a urinary catheter in place.