Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a typical symptom of testicular torsion?

1. Pain and swelling

2. Soft mass under the skin

3. 'Bag of worms' feeling

4. Burning sensation during urination

The correct answer is: Pain and swelling

Pain and swelling is indeed a typical symptom of testicular torsion. This condition occurs when the spermatic cord becomes twisted, cutting off the blood supply to the testicle. As a result, the affected testicle experiences intense, sudden pain, which may be accompanied by swelling. The pain often starts in an acute manner, and patients may also exhibit tenderness in the scrotal area as well as overall swelling. In contrast, a soft mass under the skin is more indicative of conditions such as hydrocele or an inguinal hernia rather than torsion. The 'bag of worms' feeling typically refers to varicocele, which involves engorged veins and is unrelated to acute torsion. A burning sensation during urination is commonly associated with urinary tract infections or prostatitis, neither of which relate to the acute nature of testicular torsion. Thus, the hallmark symptoms of testicular torsion are indeed pain and swelling, which highlight the urgent nature of this condition requiring prompt medical attention.