Dr. Huntley's
Diagnosis
Checklist

Have a symptom?
See what questions
a doctor would ask.
 
Next
Symptoms » Urinary symptoms » Book Sections
 

Urine cloudiness

Cloudy, murky, or turbid urine reflects the presence of bacteria, mucus, leukocytes or erythrocytes, epithelial cells, fat, or phosphates (in alkaline urine). It’s characteristic of urinary tract infection (UTI), but it can also result from prolonged storage of a urine specimen at room temperature.

History and physical examination

Ask about symptoms of UTI, such as dysuria; urinary urgency or frequency; and pain in the flank, lower back, or suprapubic area. Also ask the patient if he has had recurrent UTIs or recent surgery or treatment involving the urinary tract.

Obtain a urine specimen to check for pus or mucus. (See How to perform the three-glass urine test, page 777.) Using a reagent strip, test for blood, glucose, and pH. Palpate the suprapubic area and flanks for tenderness.

If you note cloudy urine in a patient with an indwelling urinary catheter, especially if he also has a fever, remove the catheter immediately (or change it if the patient must have one in place).

Medical causes

UTI

Cloudy urine is common in UTIs. Other urinary findings include urgency, frequency, hesitancy, hematuria, dysuria, nocturia and, in males, a urethral discharge. Other effects include fever, chills, malaise, nausea and vomiting, bladder spasms, costovertebral angle tenderness, and suprapubic, low back, or flank pain.

Special considerations

Collect urine specimens for urinalysis and culture and sensitivity tests. Increase the patient’s fluid intake, and administer an antibiotic and a urinary anesthetic (such as phenazopyridine). Continue checking the appearance of the patient’s urine to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.

Pediatric pointers

Cloudy urine in children also points to a UTI.

Book Source Details

  • Book Title: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)
  • Author(s): Springhouse
  • Year of Publication: 2006
  • Copyright Details: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), Copyright © 2006 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

Other Book Chapters Related to Urinary symptoms

Read excerpts from these other book chapters related to Urinary symptoms:

Medical Books Excerpts
  • DYSURIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • ENURESIS
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • NOCTURIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • POLYURIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • PROTEINURIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • PYURIA
  • "Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs" (2003)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "In a Page: Signs and Symptoms" (2004)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Enuresis
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Pyuria
  • "In A Page: Pediatric Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • DYSURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • NOCTURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • POLYURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • PYURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Enuresis
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Nocturia
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Oliguria
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "A Pocket Manual of Differential Diagnosis" (1999)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Enuresis
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Nocturia
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Oliguria
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Nocturia
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Proteinuria
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Urinary Incontinence
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Oliguria and Anuria
  • "The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter" (2000)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "Field Guide to Bedside Diagnosis" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Bladder distention
  • "Alarming Signs and Symptoms: Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice Series" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Nocturia
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Oliguria
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Proteinuria
  • "The Diagnostic Approach to Symptoms and Signs in Pediatrics" (2006)
  • [ read ]
  • Dysuria
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Enuresis
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Nocturia
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Oliguria
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • Polyuria
  • "Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • DYSURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • NOCTURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • POLYURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
  • PYURIA
  • "Differential Diagnosis in Primary Care" (2007)
  • [ read ]
 

Copyright Details: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), Copyright © 2008 Williams & Wilkins.

More About Causes of Urinary symptoms



More About This Book:
Title: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition)
Authors: Springhouse
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Copyright: 2006
ISBN: 1-58255-510-9

 » Next page: Dysuria (The 10-Minute Diagnosis Manual: Symptoms and Signs in the Time-Limited Encounter)

Rate This Website

What do you think about the features of this website? Take our user survey and have your say:

Website User Survey

Medical Tools & Articles:

Next articles:

Tools & Services:

Medical Articles:

Forums & Message Boards
 
HONcode We subscribe to the HONcode principles

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use. Information provided on this site is for informational purposes only; it is not intended as a substitute for advice from your own medical team. The information on this site is not to be used for diagnosing or treating any health concerns you may have - please contact your physician or health care professional for all your medical needs. Please see our Terms of Use.

Home | Symptoms | Diseases | Diagnosis | Videos | Tools | Forum | About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Advertise

Copyright © 2010 Health Grades Inc. All rights reserved. Last Update: 9 February, 2010 (2:21)