NR 570 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE 160 QUESTIONS &
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What is nephrolithiasis? - ANSWER-renal calculi (kidney stones)
How does Renal calculi form? - ANSWER-formed d/t elevated levels of minerals in
the body
What minerals in excess can cause renal calculi? - ANSWER-calcium oxalate (most
common),
phosphate
uric acid
struvite
cystine
Urolithiasis - ANSWER-stone in the bladder
Ureterolithiasis - ANSWER-condition of stones in the ureter
Risk Factor & complications of renal calculi - ANSWER--Male, 20-50yo, previous
stones, obesity, HTN, diabetes, low fluid intake.
-complications of stones: obstructions, pyelonephritis (kidney infection), CKD
,Classic Kidney stone presentation - ANSWER-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) - ANSWER-Irritative
Bladder symptoms -dysuria (painful or difficulty urinating), urgency, & frequency
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity
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? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-stones in renal pelvis
Differential Diagnosis for abdominal pain and/or flank pain: - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Blumberg sign: Rebound tenderness in the RLQ, caused by
acute peritonitis.
*Appendicitis
What labs do we run to diagnose a kidney stone? - ANSWER-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 -
ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Non-
contrast CT scan.
Goal of renal calculi treatment - ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-be passed through the urine. may only require
NSAIDs for management.
>5 mm renal calculi requires what? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-stone > 5mm
recurrent stones
When is a hospital admission appropriates for a patient with nephrolithiasis? -
ANSWER-Hospital admission is indicated when:
CORRECT ANSWERS LATEST 2025
What is nephrolithiasis? - ANSWER-renal calculi (kidney stones)
How does Renal calculi form? - ANSWER-formed d/t elevated levels of minerals in
the body
What minerals in excess can cause renal calculi? - ANSWER-calcium oxalate (most
common),
phosphate
uric acid
struvite
cystine
Urolithiasis - ANSWER-stone in the bladder
Ureterolithiasis - ANSWER-condition of stones in the ureter
Risk Factor & complications of renal calculi - ANSWER--Male, 20-50yo, previous
stones, obesity, HTN, diabetes, low fluid intake.
-complications of stones: obstructions, pyelonephritis (kidney infection), CKD
,Classic Kidney stone presentation - ANSWER-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) - ANSWER-Irritative
Bladder symptoms -dysuria (painful or difficulty urinating), urgency, & frequency
Vague flank pain or acute colicky pain with increasing intensity
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? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-stones in renal pelvis
Differential Diagnosis for abdominal pain and/or flank pain: - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Blumberg sign: Rebound tenderness in the RLQ, caused by
acute peritonitis.
*Appendicitis
What labs do we run to diagnose a kidney stone? - ANSWER-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 -
ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-
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? - ANSWER-Non-
contrast CT scan.
Goal of renal calculi treatment - ANSWER-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 - ANSWER-be passed through the urine. may only require
NSAIDs for management.
>5 mm renal calculi requires what? - ANSWER-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? - ANSWER-stone > 5mm
recurrent stones
When is a hospital admission appropriates for a patient with nephrolithiasis? -
ANSWER-Hospital admission is indicated when:
