Which sign or symptom is NOT typically associated with CAUTI?

The correct response is shortness of breath, as this symptom is not typically associated with a catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI). CAUTI primarily affects the urinary system, and its common signs and symptoms are closely related to urinary function and the presence of infection in the urinary tract.

CVA tenderness refers to costovertebral angle tenderness, which can indicate kidney involvement and may accompany renal issues, including complications from a severe urinary tract infection. Fever is a systemic symptom that may occur in response to infection and inflammation, including cases of CAUTI. Dysuria (painful urination), urgency (a strong, immediate need to urinate), and frequency (needing to urinate more often than normal) are hallmark symptoms directly stemming from irritation and inflammation of the bladder and urethra, making them significant indicators of CAUTI.

In contrast, shortness of breath is more indicative of respiratory issues rather than a urinary tract infection, which is why it does not fit within the context of typical CAUTI presentations.