Chapter 50: Pyelonephritis Flashcards
What is the most common cause of acute pyelonephritis?
A. Fungi
B. Protozoa
C. Bacterial infection
D. Viruses
C. Bacterial infection
Rationale: The most common cause of acute pyelonephritis is bacterial infection, often caused by bacteria normally found in the gastrointestinal tract, such as E. coli.
Urosepsis is a systemic infection arising from a urologic source. Why is it critical to promptly diagnose and treat urosepsis?
A. It can lead to kidney failure
B. It can result in septic shock and death if untreated
C. It increases the risk of chronic kidney disease
D. It can cause irreversible damage to the urinary tract
B. It can result in septic shock and death if untreated
Rationale: Urosepsis can lead to septic shock and death if not diagnosed and treated promptly. Early intervention is crucial to prevent these severe outcomes.
Which of the following is a preexisting factor that can increase the risk of developing acute pyelonephritis?
A. Chronic hypertension
B. Vesicoureteral reflux
C. Chronic alcoholism
D. Hyperthyroidism
A. Vesicoureteral reflux
Rationale: Vesicoureteral reflux, which is the retrograde movement of urine from the lower to upper urinary tract, is a significant predisposing factor for acute pyelonephritis.
How does pregnancy-induced physiologic changes affect the risk of acute pyelonephritis?
A. It causes increased kidney perfusion, reducing the risk of infection
B. It leads to urinary stasis, increasing the risk of pyelonephritis
C. It enhances immune function, preventing kidney infections
D. It causes changes in the pH of the urine, reducing bacterial growth
B. It leads to urinary stasis, increasing the risk of pyelonephritis
Rationale: Pregnancy-induced physiologic changes, such as urinary stasis and dilation of the ureters, increase the risk of developing acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy.
Which of the following bacteria is most commonly associated with causing acute pyelonephritis?
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
C. Escherichia coli
D. Staphylococcus aureus
C. Escherichia coli
Rationale: Escherichia coli (E. coli), a bacterium normally found in the gastrointestinal tract, is the most common pathogen associated with acute pyelonephritis.
In the pathophysiology of acute pyelonephritis, which part of the kidney is typically affected first?
A. Renal cortex
B. Glomerulus
C. Ureter
D. Renal medulla
D. Renal medulla
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis typically begins in the renal medulla and spreads to the adjacent cortex.
What is a complication of recurring episodes of acute pyelonephritis, especially in the presence of obstructive abnormalities?
A. Chronic pyelonephritis
B. Renal failure
C. Renal abscess
D. Ureteral strictures
A. Chronic pyelonephritis
Rationale: Recurring episodes of acute pyelonephritis, especially in the presence of obstructive abnormalities, can lead to chronic pyelonephritis.
What is a common mechanism by which bacteria reach the kidneys to cause acute pyelonephritis?
A. Hematogenous spread from other infections
B. Colonization and infection of the lower urinary tract via the ascending urethral route
C. Lymphatic spread from the abdomen
D. Direct spread from the skin through the urethra
B. Colonization and infection of the lower urinary tract via the ascending urethral route
Rationale: The most common mechanism for pyelonephritis is the ascending infection of the lower urinary tract via the urethra, where bacteria colonize and travel upward to the kidneys.
Which of the following is a classic manifestation of acute pyelonephritis?
A. Abdominal pain and bloating
B. Flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness
C. Chest pain and shortness of breath
D. Diarrhea and abdominal cramping
B. Flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness
Rationale: Classic manifestations of acute pyelonephritis include flank pain and costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness, along with fever, chills, nausea, and malaise.
What does the presence of WBC casts in the urine suggest in the diagnosis of pyelonephritis?
A. It indicates glomerular involvement
B. It indicates a urinary tract obstruction
C. It suggests renal parenchyma involvement
D. It is a sign of renal calculi
C. It suggests renal parenchyma involvement
Rationale: WBC casts in the urine suggest renal parenchyma involvement, which is characteristic of pyelonephritis and indicates infection has reached the kidney tissue.
Which of the following urinalysis findings is most suggestive of pyelonephritis?
A. Proteinuria and oliguria
B. Pyuria and bacteriuria
C. Hematuria and elevated specific gravity
D. Glucosuria and ketonuria
B. Pyuria and bacteriuria
Rationale: Pyuria (presence of white blood cells) and bacteriuria (presence of bacteria) are common findings in pyelonephritis and suggest an ongoing infection in the urinary tract.
In diagnosing severe cases of pyelonephritis, which diagnostic test would be most appropriate for identifying systemic infection?
A. Urine culture
B. Blood cultures
C. CT scan
D. Abdominal x-ray
B. Blood cultures
Rationale: Blood cultures are important for identifying urosepsis in hospitalized patients with severe pyelonephritis, as systemic infection may be present.
Which imaging study is preferred for assessing complications of pyelonephritis such as renal scarring or abscesses?
A. Ultrasound
B. X-ray
C. CT scan
D. MRI
C. CT scan
Rationale: CT scans are the preferred imaging studies for assessing complications of pyelonephritis, including impaired renal function, renal scarring, and abscesses.
What can costovertebral angle tenderness (CVA) indicate in a patient with suspected pyelonephritis?
A. It suggests liver involvement
B. It points to abdominal muscle strain
C. It is a sign of gallbladder disease
D. It indicates kidney involvement
D. It indicates kidney involvement
Rationale: CVA tenderness is a hallmark sign of kidney involvement, specifically suggesting pyelonephritis or other renal conditions.
Which of the following potential complications of pyelonephritis is considered life-threatening?
A. Renal scarring
B. Chronic pyelonephritis
C. Hydronephrosis
D. Urosepsis
D. Urosepsis
Rationale: Urosepsis, a systemic infection arising from a urologic source, is potentially life-threatening and can lead to septic shock if not treated promptly.
When treating acute pyelonephritis, which of the following is the initial treatment for hospitalized patients with severe infections?
A. Oral antibiotics for 5-14 days
B. IV antibiotics to rapidly establish high serum and urinary drug levels
C. NSAIDs for pain relief
D. Intravenous fluid administration alone
B. IV antibiotics to rapidly establish high serum and urinary drug levels
Rationale: IV antibiotics are typically administered initially in hospitalized patients with severe infections to quickly establish high serum and urinary drug levels, which are essential for effective treatment.
For patients with mild symptoms of acute pyelonephritis, how is the condition typically managed?
A. Immediate hospitalization and IV antibiotics
B. Oral antibiotics for 5-14 days
C. Surgery to drain the kidney abscess
D. Bed rest and fluid restriction
B. Oral antibiotics for 5-14 days
Rationale: Patients with mild symptoms may be treated as outpatients with oral antibiotics for 5-14 days.
How long does it typically take for symptoms of acute pyelonephritis to improve or resolve after starting antibiotic therapy?
A. 24-48 hours
B. 48-72 hours
C. 72-96 hours
D. 1-2 weeks
B. 48-72 hours
Rationale: Symptoms and signs typically improve or resolve within 48-72 hours after starting appropriate antibiotic therapy for acute pyelonephritis.
What is a possible reason for a relapse of acute pyelonephritis?
A. Ineffective initial antibiotic therapy or bacterial resistance
B. Poor dietary habits
C. Inadequate hydration
D. High levels of exercise
A. Ineffective initial antibiotic therapy or bacterial resistance
Rationale: Relapses may occur if the initial course of antibiotics was ineffective or if there is bacterial resistance. Treatment with a different antibiotic may be necessary.
Which of the following should be closely monitored in a patient with urosepsis?
A. Serum calcium levels
B. Blood glucose levels
C. Vital signs and signs of septic shock
D. Electrolyte levels
C. Vital signs and signs of septic shock
Rationale: Close monitoring of vital signs and signs of septic shock is critical in patients with urosepsis to recognize and treat complications promptly.
Which of the following is true regarding antibiotic prophylaxis in acute pyelonephritis?
A. It is used for recurrent infections
B. It is only prescribed after a relapse
C. It is ineffective in preventing recurrent infections
D. It is only indicated for pregnant women
A. It is used for recurrent infections
Rationale: Antibiotic prophylaxis may be used to prevent recurrent infections in patients with a history of repeated pyelonephritis.
What is the primary method of confirming effective therapy in treating acute pyelonephritis?
A. CT scan showing reduced kidney size
B. Improvement in clinical symptoms
C. Bacterial growth on urine culture
D. Decrease in WBC count
C. Bacterial growth on urine culture
Rationale: The effectiveness of antibiotic therapy is confirmed by bacterial growth on urine culture, indicating that the infection is being treated successfully.