Certified Nephrology Nurse Certification (CNN) Practice Exam

Pyelonephritis specifically refers to an infection that occurs in the upper urinary tract, which includes the kidneys. This condition often arises from bacteria ascending from the lower urinary tract, particularly from the bladder, leading to inflammation of the renal pelvis and kidney tissue. Symptoms typically include fever, chills, flank pain, and urinary symptoms, and it can lead to serious complications if not treated promptly. Understanding the distinction between pyelonephritis and other urinary tract infections is crucial. While options that describe infections in the bladder or the lower urinary tract may involve similar pathogens, they do not encompass the renal involvement that characterizes pyelonephritis. Additionally, a genetic mutation affecting kidney health is not related to pyelonephritis and would pertain more to inherited conditions that compromise kidney function rather than infections.