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A 32-year-old woman presents with dysuria, back pain, and fever. Which test or tests are required for making an appropriate diagnosis in this patient?

a) Urinalysis
b) Urinalysis and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of abdomen/pelvis
c) Urinalysis and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography of abdomen/pelvis
d) Urinalysis and ultrasonography of renal parenchyma

User Kalpa
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Final answer:

a) Urinalysis For the patient with dysuria, back pain, and fever, an initial urinalysis is essential followed by a contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis to diagnose the condition comprehensively.

Step-by-step explanation:

The appropriate diagnosis for a 32-year-old woman presenting with dysuria, back pain, and fever should begin with a urinalysis to check for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). A urine culture can also help determine the type of bacteria and guide antibiotic selection. For cases where pyelonephritis is suspected, due to the presence of systemic symptoms like fever and back pain, imaging studies such as a non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and pelvis, or ultrasonography of the renal parenchyma may be used to look for complications such as abscess or obstruction. The decision to use imaging and the type of imaging would be based on the patient's clinical presentation and risk factors.Given the symptoms described, the best choice would be: b) Urinalysis and contrast-enhanced computed tomography of abdomen/pelvis, which can provide a comprehensive evaluation for UTI and potential complications.

The appropriate test or tests for making a diagnosis in this patient would be urinalysis and non-contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) of abdomen/pelvis (option C). Urinalysis can help identify the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria in the urine, which can indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI). Computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen/pelvis can be used to evaluate the kidneys for any abnormalities, such as kidney stones or inflammation, which can cause dysuria, back pain, and fever.

User Bertrand Marron
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