Final answer:
CVA tenderness is a physical exam finding that may indicate a kidney infection, such as pyelonephritis, and can be associated with symptoms like fever, chills, and flank pain. It requires medical attention to diagnose and treat the underlying condition, which could be confirmed by further tests such as urinalysis or imaging.
Step-by-step explanation:
CVA tenderness, also known as costovertebral angle tenderness, is a physical examination finding that may suggest an infection of the kidney, such as pyelonephritis, or other types of kidney pathology. When this sign is present, physicians often consider urinary tract infections (UTIs), especially those that have spread to the kidney, which is known as an upper UTI or pyelonephritis. This type of infection may present with symptoms such as fever, chills, flank pain, and painful urination.
In clinical contexts, like the two provided in your question, one detailing symptoms leading to a suspicion of meningitis—severe headaches, fever, stiff neck, confusion, and drowsiness—and the other describing symptoms in an infant pointing towards an infection—younger patients can also have kidney infections, though their symptoms might not be as specific as in adults and can include fever, irritability, and vomiting. In both cases, it's important for a physician to conduct a thorough physical assessment and gather a detailed patient history to determine the underlying cause of the symptoms and to initiate appropriate treatment.
The presence of CVA tenderness would be particularly relevant in cases where kidney involvement is suspected, signaling the healthcare provider to perform further diagnostic tests such as urinalysis or imaging to confirm the diagnosis.