In a patient with right flank pain and hydronephrosis, what would the urinalysis most likely reveal?

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In the context of a patient presenting with right flank pain and hydronephrosis, the urinalysis is likely to reveal the presence of red blood cells. Hydronephrosis, which is the distension of the renal pelvis and calyces due to obstruction of urine flow, can cause damage to the renal parenchyma. This damage can result in hematuria, or the presence of red blood cells in the urine.

The flank pain suggests a possible underlying issue that could be causing this obstruction, such as a kidney stone or a tumor, which can also lead to bleeding. The presence of red blood cells in the urinalysis would be consistent with these conditions and the resultant injury or inflammation to the renal tissue.

While bacteria might also be seen in cases of urinary tract infections, which can occur alongside hydronephrosis, the primary factor here is the mechanical obstruction and potential hemorrhage occurring due to the stretching and damage to kidney structures. Similarly, high glucose levels would suggest a condition like diabetes but are not specifically linked to hydronephrosis. Therefore, the detection of red blood cells aligns most closely with the underlying pathophysiology presented by hydronephrosis in this patient scenario.

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