Practice Question
A nurse is caring for a client admitted with renal calculus. Which of the following assessment findings should the nurse associate with renal calculi? (Select all that apply).
Answer Choices:
Correct Answer:
Fever
Rationale:
🔹 Flank Pain
⬖ Classic symptom of renal calculi, often severe and colicky (comes in waves).
⬖ Caused by ureteral obstruction and stretching of the renal capsule.
⬖ May radiate to the groin or lower abdomen (ureteral colic).
🔹 Urinary Urgency
⬖ Occurs due to irritation of the bladder/urethra by the passing stone.
⬖ Often accompanied by dysuria (painful urination).
⬖ May mimic a UTI, but without infection.
🔹 Gastrointestinal Upset (Nausea/Vomiting)
⬖ Caused by shared nerve pathways (renointestinal reflex) between kidneys and GI tract.
⬖ Common with severe pain (autonomic nervous system response).
⬖ May lead to dehydration, worsening stone risk.
🔹 Fever
⬖ Not typical for simple renal calculi, but alarming if present.
⬖ Suggests infection (pyelonephritis or obstructed UTI)—a medical emergency.
⬖Requires urgent antibiotics + possible drainage (e.g., stent/nephrostomy).
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This question is from RN ATI MedSurg Exam V which contains 90 questions.
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Question Details
- Category: RN Nursing Exam(s)
- Subcategory: ATI Exam(s)
- Domain: RN ATI MedSurg
- Answer Choices: 5