Which presentation is most consistent with cystitis?

• A. Dysuria, frequency, urgency, suprapubic pain
• B. Fever with flank pain and CVA tenderness
• C. Nausea and vomiting
• D. Chest pain

Answer: (A)

Lower urinary tract infection affecting the bladder usually shows irritative and storage symptoms. Dysuria, increased frequency, and urgency reflect bladder inflammation, and suprapubic pain is a common accompanying finding. This combination is the hallmark of cystitis. Fever with flank pain and costovertebral angle tenderness signals kidney involvement (pyelonephritis), which changes the pattern with systemic symptoms and flank tenderness. Nausea and vomiting aren’t specific to cystitis and can occur with many illnesses, and chest pain has no relation to a urinary tract infection. So the symptom pattern of painful, frequent, and urgent urination with suprapubic discomfort best fits cystitis.