AEMCA Practice Exam

What complication is indicated by flank pain and fever?

1. Acute nephritis

2. Renal colic

3. Pyelonephritis

4. Simple UTI

The correct answer is: Pyelonephritis

Flank pain combined with fever is indicative of pyelonephritis, which is an infection of the kidney. This condition typically arises when bacteria ascend from the lower urinary tract into the kidneys, leading to inflammation. The presenting symptoms of flank pain arise due to the location of the kidneys in the posterior abdomen, while fever reflects the systemic inflammatory response to the infection. In contrast, acute nephritis could present with similar symptoms but would also include signs of more generalized kidney dysfunction, such as changes in urination or edema. Renal colic is primarily associated with severe pain due to kidney stones, often without fever unless there’s a concurrent infection. A simple urinary tract infection (UTI) usually manifests with lower abdominal pain, dysuria, or urgency, and is less likely to present with flank pain or fever unless it progresses to involve the kidneys. Therefore, the combination of flank pain and fever strongly points to pyelonephritis as the correct diagnosis.