NR 570 Final Exam
NR 570 Final Exam Study Guide
Newest 2026
What is nephrolithiasis?
renal calculi (kidney stones)
How does Renal calculi form?
formed d/t elevated levels of minerals in the body
What minerals in excess can cause renal calculi?
calcium oxalate (most common),
phosphate
uric acid
struvite
cystine
Urolithiasis
stone in the bladder
Ureterolithiasis
condition of stones in the ureter
Risk Factor & complications of renal calculi
-Male, 20-50yo, previous stones, obesity, HTN, diabetes, low fluid intake.
-complications of stones: obstructions, pyelonephritis (kidney infection), CKD
Classic Kidney stone presentation
acute onset of severe, colicky flank pain that wax and wane in intensity.
Severe pain is associated with the movement of the stone and can cause n/v.
pt may seem anxious and unable to sit still
history and physical for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Irritative Bladder symptoms -dysuria (painful or difficulty urinating), urgency, &
frequency
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity
NR 570 Final Exam
,NR 570 Final Exam
Radiation of pain into the groin
Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
Hematuria
Diaphoretic, tachycardic, appear extremely uncomfortable
CVA tenderness tell your the stone is located where?
caused by passing of the stone through the ureter with obstruction & spasm
Where is the stone located if the patient has pain in the groin region?
pain that radiates downward into the groin indicates the stone has passed into the lower
third of the ureter
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity means the stone is
located where?
stones in renal pelvis
Differential Diagnosis for abdominal pain and/or flank pain:
Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
Ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian or testicular torsion
Appendicitis
Bowel obstruction
Diverticulitis
Rupture of aortic aneurysm
Right lower abdominal tenderness with a +Blumberg sign. What should be suspected?
Blumberg sign: Rebound tenderness in the RLQ, caused by acute peritonitis.
*Appendicitis
What labs do we run to diagnose a kidney stone?
UA dipstick, urine microscopy and urine C&S
Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) to assess renal function.
What radiology methods are preferred for outpatient treatment and why
NR 570 Final Exam
, NR 570 Final Exam
inexpensive, easily accessible. in combo its more practical
-KUB xray
-Renal Ultrasound
What stones can be seen on a KUB?
What stone can you not see on a KUB
CAN see: Calcium oxalate - most common type of stone
CANNOT see: uric acid stones (radio translucent)
What is a Renal Ultrasound used for when testing for kidney stones?
good for assessing for hydronephrosis (excess fluid in the kidney d/t back up of urine that
can be caused by an obstruction). Bad for identifying a stone.
What is the GOLD STANDARD for diagnosing a kidney stone?
Non-contrast CT scan.
Goal of renal calculi treatment
focused on symptomatic relief
pain medications -NSAID or narcs
antiemetics -n/v
facilitate stone passage-Thiazide diuretics, alpha-blockers or calcium channel blockers to
help facilitate the passage of a stone. Terazosin -alpha blockers used for BPH.
<5 mm renal calculi can
be passed through the urine. may only require NSAIDs for management.
>5 mm renal calculi requires what?
urology consult.
this may cause an obstruction or kidney failure.
this type of stone may need surgical intervention to be removed.
when is a Urology Referral indicated?
stone > 5mm
recurrent stones
When is a hospital admission appropriates for a patient with nephrolithiasis?
NR 570 Final Exam
NR 570 Final Exam Study Guide
Newest 2026
What is nephrolithiasis?
renal calculi (kidney stones)
How does Renal calculi form?
formed d/t elevated levels of minerals in the body
What minerals in excess can cause renal calculi?
calcium oxalate (most common),
phosphate
uric acid
struvite
cystine
Urolithiasis
stone in the bladder
Ureterolithiasis
condition of stones in the ureter
Risk Factor & complications of renal calculi
-Male, 20-50yo, previous stones, obesity, HTN, diabetes, low fluid intake.
-complications of stones: obstructions, pyelonephritis (kidney infection), CKD
Classic Kidney stone presentation
acute onset of severe, colicky flank pain that wax and wane in intensity.
Severe pain is associated with the movement of the stone and can cause n/v.
pt may seem anxious and unable to sit still
history and physical for nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Irritative Bladder symptoms -dysuria (painful or difficulty urinating), urgency, &
frequency
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity
NR 570 Final Exam
,NR 570 Final Exam
Radiation of pain into the groin
Costovertebral angle (CVA) tenderness
Hematuria
Diaphoretic, tachycardic, appear extremely uncomfortable
CVA tenderness tell your the stone is located where?
caused by passing of the stone through the ureter with obstruction & spasm
Where is the stone located if the patient has pain in the groin region?
pain that radiates downward into the groin indicates the stone has passed into the lower
third of the ureter
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity means the stone is
located where?
stones in renal pelvis
Differential Diagnosis for abdominal pain and/or flank pain:
Nephrolithiasis (kidney stones)
Pyelonephritis (kidney infection)
Ectopic pregnancy
Ovarian or testicular torsion
Appendicitis
Bowel obstruction
Diverticulitis
Rupture of aortic aneurysm
Right lower abdominal tenderness with a +Blumberg sign. What should be suspected?
Blumberg sign: Rebound tenderness in the RLQ, caused by acute peritonitis.
*Appendicitis
What labs do we run to diagnose a kidney stone?
UA dipstick, urine microscopy and urine C&S
Serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) to assess renal function.
What radiology methods are preferred for outpatient treatment and why
NR 570 Final Exam
, NR 570 Final Exam
inexpensive, easily accessible. in combo its more practical
-KUB xray
-Renal Ultrasound
What stones can be seen on a KUB?
What stone can you not see on a KUB
CAN see: Calcium oxalate - most common type of stone
CANNOT see: uric acid stones (radio translucent)
What is a Renal Ultrasound used for when testing for kidney stones?
good for assessing for hydronephrosis (excess fluid in the kidney d/t back up of urine that
can be caused by an obstruction). Bad for identifying a stone.
What is the GOLD STANDARD for diagnosing a kidney stone?
Non-contrast CT scan.
Goal of renal calculi treatment
focused on symptomatic relief
pain medications -NSAID or narcs
antiemetics -n/v
facilitate stone passage-Thiazide diuretics, alpha-blockers or calcium channel blockers to
help facilitate the passage of a stone. Terazosin -alpha blockers used for BPH.
<5 mm renal calculi can
be passed through the urine. may only require NSAIDs for management.
>5 mm renal calculi requires what?
urology consult.
this may cause an obstruction or kidney failure.
this type of stone may need surgical intervention to be removed.
when is a Urology Referral indicated?
stone > 5mm
recurrent stones
When is a hospital admission appropriates for a patient with nephrolithiasis?
NR 570 Final Exam
