Encrustation is most strongly linked to infection with bacteria that produce urease, leading to mineral deposits on the catheter.

Encrustation is most strongly linked to infection with bacteria that produce urease, leading to mineral deposits on the catheter.

• A. Concentrated urine with the presence of glucose
• B. Urine colonized by urease-producing bacteria
• C. Acidic urine
• D. Prolonged catheterization (> 6 months)

Answer: (B)

Encrustation on a catheter happens when urine is infected by bacteria that produce urease. Urease splits urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which raises the urine pH and creates an alkaline environment. In alkaline urine, minerals like magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate precipitate as crystals such as struvite and carbonate apatite. These crystals deposit on the catheter surface and form the encrustations that can block or damage the line. So the presence of urine colonized by urease-producing bacteria directly explains why encrustation occurs. Other factors—like concentrated urine with glucose, acidic urine, or simply prolonged catheterization—don’t directly drive the mineral precipitation process that leads to encrustation.

Encrustation on a catheter happens when urine is infected by bacteria that produce urease. Urease splits urea into ammonia and carbon dioxide, which raises the urine pH and creates an alkaline environment. In alkaline urine, minerals like magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate precipitate as crystals such as struvite and carbonate apatite. These crystals deposit on the catheter surface and form the encrustations that can block or damage the line. So the presence of urine colonized by urease-producing bacteria directly explains why encrustation occurs. Other factors—like concentrated urine with glucose, acidic urine, or simply prolonged catheterization—don’t directly drive the mineral precipitation process that leads to encrustation.