A patient has developed pyelonephritis after being treated for a urinary tract infection. Which of the following interventions is most important?

Explanation

• Fluid intake of 3 L/day will help clear the bladder and urinary tract of contaminated urine. This will also help prevent calculus formation.

• Introduction of an indwelling catheter may further contaminate the urinary tract.

• Prune juice will help acidify the urine and decrease bacteria count, but this intervention is not the most important.

• Most fruits and vegetables will increase urine pH, leading to increased colonization of bacteria.

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