NR 570 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE | QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
| 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY-ILLINOIS.
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
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:
-Inability to control pain
-Impaired renal function with an obstructing stone
-Infection (pyelonephritis or sepsis)
-Intractable n/v
What does a 24 hour urine collection analyze? - ANSWER--total volume
-urine pH
-calcium oxalate
-uric acid
-citrate
-sodium
-potassium
-creatinine
Factor Regarding hospital DC for nephrolithiasis - ANSWER--Pain is reasonably controlled
-n/v controlled
Treatment depends on:
Stone type
Location of the stone
Extent of obstruction
Kidney function
Progress of stone passage.
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)
| 2026 UPDATE | WITH COMPLETE SOLUTIONS - CHAMBERLAIN
UNIVERSITY-ILLINOIS.
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
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:
-Inability to control pain
-Impaired renal function with an obstructing stone
-Infection (pyelonephritis or sepsis)
-Intractable n/v
What does a 24 hour urine collection analyze? - ANSWER--total volume
-urine pH
-calcium oxalate
-uric acid
-citrate
-sodium
-potassium
-creatinine
Factor Regarding hospital DC for nephrolithiasis - ANSWER--Pain is reasonably controlled
-n/v controlled
Treatment depends on:
Stone type
Location of the stone
Extent of obstruction
Kidney function
Progress of stone passage.
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)
