A healthcare professional is assessing a patient who could have either pyelonephritis or cystitis. Which differentiating sign would assist the professional in making this diagnosis?
A)Difficulty starting the stream of urine
B)Spasmodic pain that radiates to the groin
C)Increased glomerular filtration rate
D)Urinalysis confirmation of white blood cell casts

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Clinical assessment alone is difficult to differentiate the symptoms of cystitis from those of pyelonephritis. Urine culture, urinalysis, and clinical signs and symptoms establish the specific diagnosis. When present, white blood cell casts indicate pyelonephritis. Difficulty starting the urine stream could indicate prostate enlargement. Neither disorder has spasmodic pain that radiates to the groin; this would be indicative of a kidney stone. Increased GFR would not be seen in an infectious disorder.

A Healthcare Professional Is Assessing a Patient Who Could Have