Renal calculi
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
Renal / Urinary / Electrolytesmedium priorityneeds review
Renal calculi
Also testable as: Kidney stones, Nephrolithiasis, Urolithiasis
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Mineral crystals form stones in kidneys or urinary tract; dehydration and metabolic risks can contribute.
- Stone movement causes ureteral spasm, obstruction, hematuria, and severe flank pain.
Medications
No specific medication class was seeded for this card.
Signs / symptoms
- Severe colicky flank pain radiating to groin.
- Hematuria.
- Fever with stone is dangerous.
Nursing actions
- Assess pain, urine output, hematuria, nausea/vomiting, fever, and single-kidney or obstruction risks.
- Strain urine if ordered and promote fluids when not contraindicated.
- Escalate fever, anuria, uncontrolled pain, or signs of sepsis.
Complications
- Obstruction
- Hydronephrosis
- Pyelonephritis
- Sepsis
NCLEX cues
- Severe colicky flank pain radiating to groin.
- Hematuria.
- Fever with stone is dangerous.
Memory hooks
- Stone plus fever equals infected obstruction until proven otherwise.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Urinalysis
- CT/ultrasound
- Creatinine
- Stone analysis if captured
Review notes
- Supplemental wife-requested study card. Use for NCLEX review only and verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Source entitycondition card
Renal calculi
Condition card for Renal calculi: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Termcondition cue
Hematuria
Blood in the urine.
Procedureprocedure
Lithotripsy
Procedure that breaks kidney stones into smaller pieces.
Procedureprocedure
Ureteral stent care
Temporary tube that helps urine drain from kidney to bladder after obstruction or urologic procedures.