Compare and contrast the disease processes of acute and chronic pyelonephritis

Question 1

Acute pyelonephritis

Answer 1

Acute infection of one or both upper urinary tracts (ureter, renal pelvis, and interstitium)
Mostly in women
Systemic

Question 2

Acute pyelonephritis: Common causes

Answer 2

E. Coli and psuedonomis

Question 3

Acute pyelonephritis: S/S

Answer 3

o   Acute onset of fever
o   Chills
o   Flank or groin pain
o   Urinary frequency
o   Dysuria

Question 4

Acute pyelonephritis: evaluation

Answer 4

o Urinalysis - 24, 48, and 72 hours

o Urinalysis for WBC cast (indicates this)

Question 5

Chronic pyelonephritis

Answer 5

· Persistent or recurring episodes of acute pyelonephritis that lead to scarring of one or both kidneys and kidney

Question 6

Chronic pyelonephritis: S/S

Answer 6

o   Acute onset of fever
o   Chills
o   Flank or groin pain
o   Urinary frequency
o   Dysuria

Question 7

Chronic pyelonephritis: evaluation

Answer 7

urinalysis (WBC would be indicative of pyelonephritis) and urine culture (72 hours), ultra sound, perfusion tests (check to see how well the blood is perfusing through the kidneys)