Which test confirms the presence of bacteriuria requiring antibiotics?

• A. Urine culture
• B. Urinalysis with leukocyte esterase and nitrites, and/or urine culture.
• C. Urinalysis
• D. Complete blood count

Answer: (B)

Determining bacteriuria that warrants antibiotics relies on confirming infection in the urine. Leukocyte esterase on urinalysis signals white blood cells in the urinary tract, and nitrites indicate bacteria that commonly cause UTIs. When these urinalysis findings are present, they strongly support infection and a urine culture can then confirm significant bacteriuria and guide antibiotic therapy. Therefore, testing that includes urinalysis with leukocyte esterase and nitrites, and/or a urine culture, provides the most reliable confirmation. Urinalysis alone can suggest infection but isn’t definitive for bacteriuria needing antibiotics in all cases, and a complete blood count isn’t used to diagnose UTIs.