The doctor will check for tenderness and swelling in the kidney region with a physical exam and enquire into the patient's family medical history. Men may require a prostate examination, while women could need a pelvic exam for confirmation. The second test is a urine sample, which a lab will analyze, looking for blood, bacteria, or other abnormalities. Blood tests that take a complete blood count can identify any infections. Finally, the doctor may use imaging processes such as ultrasound, x-ray, CT scan, or MRI.

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