AEMCA Practice Exam

Which symptom is commonly seen in both UTI and pyelonephritis?

1. Severe pain at the site of injury

2. Fever

3. Soreness in the joints

4. Sudden weight loss

The correct answer is: Fever

Fever is a common symptom seen in both urinary tract infections (UTIs) and pyelonephritis, which is a type of kidney infection that typically arises from a UTI that has ascended to the kidneys. In both conditions, the body responds to the infection by increasing its temperature as part of the immune response. This elevated body temperature is indicative of the body's efforts to fight off pathogens. In contrast, severe pain at the site of injury is more specific to localized trauma rather than infections like UTI or pyelonephritis. Soreness in the joints is generally associated with inflammatory conditions or autoimmune disorders rather than urinary infections. Sudden weight loss may indicate systemic illness or metabolic disorders but is not a typical symptom of either UTI or pyelonephritis. Thus, fever stands out as a key symptom that links both conditions in the context of their pathophysiological responses to infectious agents.