LEIK Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) Practice Exam 2026 – The Complete All-in-One Guide to Master Your FNP Certification!

Acute pyelonephritis is an infection of the kidneys that can lead to renal dysfunction and the potential for temporary elevation in blood pressure due to pain or stress, but it is not a direct cause of secondary hypertension.

Secondary hypertension is characterized by identifiable and often correctable causes that lead to increased blood pressure, and the other conditions listed are all recognized causes of secondary hypertension. Pheochromocytoma is a tumor of the adrenal gland that secretes catecholamines, leading to sustained hypertension. Renovascular stenosis involves narrowing of the renal arteries, which can trigger hypertension due to decreased blood flow to the kidneys and activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Coarctation of the aorta is a congenital condition that causes high blood pressure due to increased resistance in the aorta.

In contrast, while acute pyelonephritis can cause variations in blood pressure, it does not represent a primary underlying mechanism leading to sustained or chronic secondary hypertension in the same way as these other conditions do.