The nurse is caring for a patient who has a urinary diversion.The nurse notices that the patient has a temperature of 102° F and foul-smelling urine.What action should the nurse take?

A) Obtain a urine culture from the patient's pouch.
B) Catheterize the patient to obtain a sterile urine specimen.
C) Notify the physician.
D) Realize that these are normal findings.

Common symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI)include fever and foul-smelling odor.The nurse will need to contact the physician immediately.The physician will order a catheterization so that a urine sample may be obtained.Although the nurse realizes the need for catheterization,it is an invasive procedure,and an invasive procedure requires a physician's order.Obtaining a specimen of urine in a pouch does not result in an accurate finding because of the likely risk of contamination by microorganisms.Some mucus in the urine is expected.