Which term describes a urinary tract infection that begins in the lower tract and ascends to the kidneys?

• A. Intrauterine Pregnancy - IUP
• B. Pelvic Inflammatory Disease - PID
• C. Priapism
• D. Pyelonephritis

Answer: (D)

Ascending urinary tract infections describe when bacteria start in the lower urinary tract (the bladder) and travel upward to the kidneys. When the infection reaches the kidneys, the inflammation is called pyelonephritis. This term specifically denotes a kidney infection resulting from an upward spread from the bladder, which fits the scenario described.

The other terms relate to different conditions: intrauterine pregnancy simply means a pregnancy located inside the uterus; pelvic inflammatory disease involves infection of the female reproductive organs rather than the kidneys; priapism is a prolonged, often painful erection and has no relation to UTIs. So the term that best matches an infection that begins in the lower tract and ascends to the kidneys is pyelonephritis.