FAU Advanced Health Assessment Practice Test

A patient presents with testicular pain that worsened overnight and burning during urination. What is the likely diagnosis?

1. Acute epididymitis

2. Testicular torsion

3. Hydrocele

4. Prostatitis

The correct answer is: Acute epididymitis

The symptoms presented – testicular pain that worsens overnight along with burning during urination – are indicative of acute epididymitis. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the epididymis, often caused by infection, which can lead to symptoms such as scrotal pain, swelling, and urinary discomfort. The acute onset and worsening of pain, combined with the issue of burning during urination, strongly align with the signs of epididymitis, which commonly results from sexually transmitted infections in younger males or urinary tract infections in older males. In contrast, testicular torsion typically presents with sudden, severe unilateral testicular pain that may not be accompanied by urinary symptoms. It requires immediate surgical intervention as it poses a risk of testicular necrosis. A hydrocele generally does not cause pain; rather, it presents as a painless swelling of the scrotum due to fluid accumulation. Prostatitis, while it can cause pelvic pain and urinary symptoms, is more likely to produce pain that is localized to the perineum or lower abdomen rather than specifically testicular pain. Thus, the symptom profile aligns most closely with acute epididymitis as the likely diagnosis.