NR 507 Week 4 Exam Urinary System
Pathologies and Urinary Tract Infections
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with acute pyelonephritis most commonly develops the
infection through which route?
A. Hematogenous spread from the lungs
B. Ascending infection from the lower urinary tract
C. Direct extension from the intestines
D. Congenital renal abnormalities
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis most often results from bacteria
ascending from the bladder through the ureters into the renal pelvis
and kidney. Escherichia coli is the most common causative organism
because of its ability to adhere to uroepithelial cells using fimbriae.
Hematogenous spread is uncommon and typically occurs with
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
, 2. Which organism is the most common cause of uncomplicated
urinary tract infections?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Escherichia coli
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Enterococcus faecalis
Rationale: Escherichia coli accounts for approximately 75–95% of
uncomplicated urinary tract infections due to its virulence factors,
including adhesins and fimbriae that promote attachment to the
urinary epithelium.
3. A patient presents with fever, chills, flank pain, and costovertebral
angle tenderness. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute cystitis
B. Urethritis
C. Acute pyelonephritis
D. Nephrotic syndrome
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis involves infection of the renal
parenchyma and typically presents with systemic symptoms such as
,fever, chills, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and costovertebral angle
tenderness, distinguishing it from lower urinary tract infections.
4. Which laboratory finding is most suggestive of acute
pyelonephritis?
A. Proteinuria alone
B. Glucosuria
C. White blood cell casts in the urine
D. Ketonuria
Rationale: White blood cell casts indicate inflammation within the
renal tubules and are highly suggestive of pyelonephritis because they
originate in the kidney rather than the lower urinary tract.
5. The primary function of the glomerulus is to:
A. Secrete potassium
B. Concentrate urine
C. Filter plasma to form ultrafiltrate
D. Reabsorb glucose
, Rationale: The glomerulus filters plasma while retaining blood cells
and large proteins. The resulting filtrate enters Bowman's capsule and
undergoes further modification throughout the nephron.
6. Which portion of the nephron is primarily responsible for
reabsorbing approximately 65% of filtered sodium and water?
A. Loop of Henle
B. Proximal convoluted tubule
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Collecting duct
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs the majority of
filtered sodium, water, bicarbonate, glucose, amino acids, and other
essential solutes, making it a major site of renal reabsorption.
7. Which factor increases the risk of developing urinary tract
infections in women?
A. Longer urethra
B. Shorter urethra
C. Increased bladder capacity
D. Higher urine pH
Pathologies and Urinary Tract Infections
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1. A patient with acute pyelonephritis most commonly develops the
infection through which route?
A. Hematogenous spread from the lungs
B. Ascending infection from the lower urinary tract
C. Direct extension from the intestines
D. Congenital renal abnormalities
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis most often results from bacteria
ascending from the bladder through the ureters into the renal pelvis
and kidney. Escherichia coli is the most common causative organism
because of its ability to adhere to uroepithelial cells using fimbriae.
Hematogenous spread is uncommon and typically occurs with
Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
, 2. Which organism is the most common cause of uncomplicated
urinary tract infections?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Escherichia coli
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Enterococcus faecalis
Rationale: Escherichia coli accounts for approximately 75–95% of
uncomplicated urinary tract infections due to its virulence factors,
including adhesins and fimbriae that promote attachment to the
urinary epithelium.
3. A patient presents with fever, chills, flank pain, and costovertebral
angle tenderness. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute cystitis
B. Urethritis
C. Acute pyelonephritis
D. Nephrotic syndrome
Rationale: Acute pyelonephritis involves infection of the renal
parenchyma and typically presents with systemic symptoms such as
,fever, chills, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, and costovertebral angle
tenderness, distinguishing it from lower urinary tract infections.
4. Which laboratory finding is most suggestive of acute
pyelonephritis?
A. Proteinuria alone
B. Glucosuria
C. White blood cell casts in the urine
D. Ketonuria
Rationale: White blood cell casts indicate inflammation within the
renal tubules and are highly suggestive of pyelonephritis because they
originate in the kidney rather than the lower urinary tract.
5. The primary function of the glomerulus is to:
A. Secrete potassium
B. Concentrate urine
C. Filter plasma to form ultrafiltrate
D. Reabsorb glucose
, Rationale: The glomerulus filters plasma while retaining blood cells
and large proteins. The resulting filtrate enters Bowman's capsule and
undergoes further modification throughout the nephron.
6. Which portion of the nephron is primarily responsible for
reabsorbing approximately 65% of filtered sodium and water?
A. Loop of Henle
B. Proximal convoluted tubule
C. Distal convoluted tubule
D. Collecting duct
Rationale: The proximal convoluted tubule reabsorbs the majority of
filtered sodium, water, bicarbonate, glucose, amino acids, and other
essential solutes, making it a major site of renal reabsorption.
7. Which factor increases the risk of developing urinary tract
infections in women?
A. Longer urethra
B. Shorter urethra
C. Increased bladder capacity
D. Higher urine pH
