The client comes to the emergency department reporting severe flank pain radiati
ID: 3511348 • Letter: T
Question
The client comes to the emergency department reporting severe flank pain radiating to the abdomen and scrotum. The client is diaphoretic and complaining of intense nausea. The initial diagnosis is kidney stones. (Learning Objectives: 10–13)
The client wants to know why you think it is a kidney stone rather than a urinary tract infection (UTI). What manifestations are typically associated with a UTI?
What are the manifestations associated with a kidney stone?
What diagnostic testing would be helpful in confirming the diagnosis?
You instruct the client to strain all of his urine. The client responds, “Why do I need to strain it? Don’t you think I will know when I pass it?” How should you respond?
What is a possible complication associated with kidney stones?
What are the different types of stones and what are possible causes of each?
What are some treatment options at this point?
Explanation / Answer
Manifestations typically associated with a UTI include:
Manifestations associated with a kidney stone:
Diagnostic testing to confirm the hypothesis:
The diagnosis includes performing an ultrasound test or CT scan of the kidney to confirm the presence of stones. Over time, the kidney stones pass through the ureter to the bladder. So, they can be detected with the above mentioned tests.
Straining the urine for kidney stones:
It is particularly important to strain the first urine of the day for both UTI as well as for kidney stones. Kidney stones can be very minute in size which might go unnoticed; moreover straining the urine allows the doctor to send it for testing. This will further reveal the composition of the kidney stone; devise a plan to prevent the formation of kidney stones in future in addition to the current treatment.
Related Questions
drjack9650@gmail.com
Navigate
Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.