Which term describes bacteria in the urine?

• A. Pyuria
• B. Hematuria
• C. Cystitis
• D. Bacteriuria

Answer: (D)

Bacteriuria describes bacteria in the urine. The term uses the root “bacteria” plus the suffix “-uria,” which means a urine condition. This is the standard label for urine that contains bacteria, whether or not there are symptoms. Pyuria would indicate pus or white blood cells in the urine, signaling infection but not specifically the presence of bacteria. Hematuria means blood in the urine. Cystitis refers to inflammation of the bladder, usually from infection but is describing a condition rather than the presence of bacteria itself. So the best term for bacteria in the urine is bacteriuria.