Renal colic

Question 1

Renal colic pathophysiology
and whether symptomatic

Answer 1

-electrolytes ppt into crystals
-small stones may be asymptomatic and be passed in urine
-if larger, can cause obstruction, causing them to grow more
-obstruction can be in kidney tubule or ureter
-increase in pressure, leading to oedema

Question 2

Renal colic symptoms

Answer 2

-acute severe flank pain, radiate groin (men- pain testicles and penis)
-restlessness
-nausea + vomiting
-urgent need to urinate
-haematuria
Less common
-fever
-tachycardia
-hypotension

Question 3

Treatment and who to transfer

Answer 3

-analgesia- non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) and/or morphine
Transfer to hospital if:
-increased risk of kidney failure eg. 1 kidney
-symptoms don’t improve after 1 hour analgesia or anti emetics
-dehydrated and vomiting- can’t keep fluids down
-pregnant
-older 60yrs