This document provides information about renal calculi (kidney stones). It discusses the definition, causes, signs and symptoms, types, diagnostic procedures, management, and nursing considerations for patients with kidney stones. The main types of stones discussed are calcium oxalate, uric acid, cystine, and struvite stones. Diagnostic tests include blood and urine tests, x-rays, CT scans, and analyzing passed stones. Management involves increasing fluid intake, pain medication, stone removal procedures, diet modification, and patient education on preventing recurrence.
3. Definition
Urolithiasis is the formation of stony concretions in the urinary system and
its affect men more than women
urinary calculi may be found anywhere from the kidney to the urethra
4. Risk factors
Age
gender
Obesity
heredity
Gastric bypass surgery
Immobilization or obstruction lead to urinary stasis
Metabolic disorders
Anatomic kidney or urinary tract abnormalities
High blood pressure
Diet: high levels of protein, salt, or sugar can cause stones to form, as can
dehydration because less urine is produced
6. Sings and symptoms
severe flank pain / groin /genitalia
blood in urine
Vomiting, nausea and diarrhea
white blood cells or pus in the urine
burning sensation during urination
persistent urge to urinate
fever and chills if there is an infection (elevated wbc )
Dysuria , frequency and urgency
7.
8. Calcium oxalate stones
Calcium oxalate stones are the most common type of kidney stone.
Risk factors:
High Protein diet
High Oxalate diet
High Sodium diet
High Sugar diet
9.
10. Calcium Oxalate
thiazide diuretics have shown to reduce the recurrence rates by up to
70%.[It is the only medical therapy directed at reducing urinary calcium
11.
12.
13. Uric acid stones
The aim of treatment in uric acid stones is to increase the solubility of uric
acid in urine. It is achieved by increasing the urine volume and by alkali
therapy. Allopurinol is a useful adjunct to the therapy.
14.
15. Cystine stones
The aim of treatment is to reduce the concentration of free cystine and
increase its solubility in urine.
A high fluid intake up to 4-5 L/day OR 4-5 lit/day and alkalinization of
urine with target urine pH >7 is desirable
16. Struvite stones
Struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate)
white to yellowish or brownish-white pyramidal crystals
Struvite stones form in alkaline urine from infection with urea-splitting
microorganisms. Antibiotics are the mainstay of the therapy with
occasional use of acetohydroxamic acid
18. Diagnostic findings
Urinalysis: Color may be yellow, dark brown, bloody. Commonly shows
RBCs, WBCs, crystals (cystine, uric acid, calcium oxalate), casts, minerals,
bacteria, pus; pH may be less than 5
Urine culture: May reveal UTI
Serum and urine BUN/Cr: Abnormal (high in serum/low in urine)
Serum chloride and bicarbonate levels: Elevation of chloride and decreased
levels of bicarbonate
Biochemical survey: Elevated levels of magnesium, calcium, uric acid,
phosphates, protein, electrolytes.
x-ray: Shows presence of calculi and/or anatomical changes in the area of
the kidneys or along the course of the ureter.
19. Assessment
Assess for pain and discomfort, including severity, location, and radiation of
pain.
Assess for associated symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and
abdominal distention.
Observe for signs of urinary tract infection (chills, fever, frequency, and
hesitancy) and obstruction (frequent urination of small amounts, oliguria, or
anuria).
Observe urine for blood; strain for stones or gravel.
Focus history on factors that predispose patient to urinary tract stones or that
may have precipitated current episode of renal or ureteral colic.
Assess patient’s knowledge about renal stones and measures to prevent
recurrence.
20. Management
Encourage increased fluid intake and ambulation.
Begin IV fluids if patient cannot take adequate oral fluids.
Monitor total urine output and patterns of voiding.
Encourage ambulation as a means of moving the stone through the urinary tract.
Strain urine through gauze.
Crush any blood clots passed in urine, and inspect sides of urinal and bedpan for
clinging stones.
Instruct patient to report decreased urine volume, bloody or cloudy urine, fever, and
pain.
Instruct patient to report any increase in pain.
Monitor vital signs for early indications of infection; infections should be treated with
the appropriate antibiotic agent before efforts are made to dissolve the stone.
21. Stone Removal Procedures
Ureteroscopy: stones fragmented with use of laser, electrohydraulic
lithotripsy, or ultrasound and then removed.
Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).
Percutaneous nephrostomy; endourologic methods.
Electrohydraulic lithotripsy.
Chemolysis (stone dissolution): alternative for those who are poor risks for
other therapies, refuse other methods, or have easily dissolved stones
(striate).
Surgical removal is performed in only 1% to 2% of patients.
22. Nutritional therapy
Fluid and diet therapy
- encourage patient to drink high amounts of water every day to prevent
dehydration
- restrict oxalate food (peanuts, tea, beans, coffee)
- IV fluids
- Low protein diet
- Purine diet avoid (organ meats , shellfish, spinach,etc_)
- Eat a diet high in vegetables
- Avoid animal protein and high methionine foods (fish )
23. Patient education
Avoid protein intake , usually protein is restricted to 60g/day to decrease
urinary excretion of calcium and uric acid
A sodium intake of 3 to 4 g/day is recommended , sodium competes with
calcium for reabsorption in the kidneys
Drink fluids every 1 to 2 hours
Avoid intake of oxalate-containing food (spinach, strawberries, tea,
peanuts)
Avoid activities leading to sudden increase in environmental temperatures
that may cause excessive sweating and dehydration
Ambulation may help to move stones through urinary tract
Intake of vitamin D
24. Nursing Diagnosis
Acute Pain related to inflammation, obstruction, and abrasion of the
urinary tract
Impaired urinary elimination
Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume
Deficient knowledge regarding prevention of recurrence of renal stones
25. Diagnosis Outcome Interventions
Acute Pain related to
inflammation, obstruction, and
abrasion of the urinary tract
Patient will report no pain Assess pain characteristics
(location, severity, alleviating
factors etc.)
positioning
morphine administration to
prevent shock and syncope
non-pharmacological
intervention for pain
moist heat to the flank area
26. Diagnosis outcome Interventions
Impaired urinary elimination
related to Stimulation of
the bladder by calculi as
evidenced by Urgency and
frequency
Patient will Void in normal
amounts and usual pattern.
Record I&O and
of urine
Determine patient’s normal
voiding pattern and note
variations.
Promote sufficient intake of
fluids.
Offer fruit juices ,particularly
cranberry juice.to help acidify
the urine
Check laboratory studies
(electrolytes, BUN, Cr).
Obtain urine for culture and
sensitivities
27. Diagnosis Outcome Interventions
Risk for Deficient Fluid Volume Patient will Maintain adequate
fluid balance
Monitor and document I&O
Weigh daily
Note incidence and
characteristics and frequency
of vomiting and diarrhea
Promote fluid intake to 3–4 L
day within cardiac tolerance.
Monitor vital signs
Encourage appropriate diet
28. Diagnosis Outcome Interventions
Deficient knowledge
regarding prevention of
recurrence of renal stones
Patient will Verbalize
understanding of
needs
Assess ability to learn or
perform desired health-
related care.
Consider the patient’s
learning style
Assess barriers to learning
Identify cultural influences
on health teaching
Review dietary regimen
Recall and analyze disease
process and future
expectations