Is CVA tenderness the same as flank pain?

Flank or costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness is most commonly unilateral over the involved kidney, although bilateral discomfort may be present. Discomfort varies from absent to severe. This finding is usually not subtle and may be elicited with mild or moderately firm palpation.

How do you Percuss your liver?

Technique

1. Starting in the midclavicular line at about the 3rd intercostal space, lightly percuss and move down.
2. Percuss inferiorly until dullness denotes the liver’s upper border (usually at 5th intercostal space in MCL).
3. Resume percussion from below the umbilicus on the midclavicular line in an area of tympany.

Where does the word Costo and vertebra come from?

“Costo” comes from the Latin word for rib, and “vertebra” comes from the Latin word for joint. Your kidneys are located behind the CVA on each side. Pain in this flank area may indicate a kidney infection, a back problem, or another kind of internal problem.

What can be done about costovertebral angle pain?

Antibiotic therapy + percutaneous drainage via US or CT (depending on abscess size) Acute pyelonephritis is suggested by fever (temperature ≥38.5°C), chills, flank pain, nausea and vomiting, and costovertebral angle tenderness.

Where is the costovertebral angle on the CVA?

The angle that forms below the 12th rib and spine is the costovertebral angle. After finding the CVA, you will then place your non-dominate hand flat the angle (there are two angles you will perform percussion on, which are located over each kidney…right and left). Then form a fist with your dominate hand and firmly thump your non-dominate hand.

When to perform percussion over the costovertebral angle?

During a head-to-toe nursing assessment in a patient who is suspected to have a kidney infection (pyelonephritis), it is important to perform percussion over the costovertebral angle for tenderness.