Acute Renal Colic

Overview

4.8 out of 5 (171 Reviews)

Credits

1.50

Post Assessment Questions

10

Start Date

1 Sep 2023

Last Review Date

23 Dec 2024

Expiration Date

31 Aug 2026

Estimated Time To Finish

90 Minutes


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Activity Description

Acute renal colic is a severe and sudden flank pain primarily caused by ureteral calculi obstructing the urinary tract. The pain typically originates at the costovertebral angle and radiates anteriorly and inferiorly toward the groin or testicle. Ureteral stones, which can occur anywhere along the path between the kidneys and the bladder, are the leading cause of this condition. Contributing factors to urolithiasis include aciduria, low urine volume, urinary infections, hypercalciuria, hyperoxaluria, hyperuricosuria, and hypocitraturia. Initial evaluation of acute renal colic involves detailed history-taking, physical examination, laboratory testing, urinalysis, and imaging studies. Appropriate imaging studies include ultrasonography with resistive index, a plain abdominal x-ray of the kidney, ureter, and bladder, and unenhanced (non-contrast) computed tomography scans.

Initial management of acute renal colic focuses on pain control, IV hydration, and antiemetics, with antibiotics administered if an infection is present. Although many ureteral stones pass spontaneously, larger or obstructing stones may require elective surgical interventions, such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, or cystoscopy with double J stenting. In certain urgent clinical cases, such as sepsis due to obstructive pyelonephritis (pyonephrosis), immediate surgical drainage of the infected renal pelvis is critical. Preventive strategies, including 24-hour urine testing, are recommended for recurrent cases to improve quality of life. This activity reviews the evaluation and management of acute renal colic caused by ureterolithiasis. This activity also emphasizes the importance of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare providers and highlights their critical roles in delivering comprehensive patient care and effectively managing this condition.


Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians, physician associates, nurses, pharmacists, and nurse practitioners.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Identify the clinical presentation of acute renal colic, including characteristic flank pain and radiation patterns.

  • Assess the need for imaging studies such as ultrasound or non-contrast computed tomography to confirm the diagnosis and evaluate stone size and location.

  • Apply appropriate antibiotic therapy for patients presenting with signs of urosepsis or infected stones.

  • Collaborate with a nephrologist, urologist, primary care provider, and dietitian to develop individualized management plans for patients with recurrent urolithiasis.

Disclosures

StatPearls, LLC requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. Ineligible companies are organizations whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. Others involved in planning this educational activity have no relevant financial relationships to disclose.

Commercial Support: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information

In support of improving patient care, StatPearls, LLC is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

 

Nurses: StatPearls designates this activity for 1.50 ANCC contact hour(s). Nurses should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Please consult your professional licensing board for information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity.

Method of Participation and Credit

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  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content of the enduring material.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit and a certificate, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
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Disclaimer

This educational activity was planned and produced in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education. Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls expressly disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Unapproved Uses of Drugs/Devices: In accordance with FDA requirements, the audience is advised that information presented in this continuing education activity may contain references to unlabeled or unapproved uses of drugs or devices. Please refer to the FDA-approved package insert for each drug/device for full prescribing/utilization information.

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Reviews

David L. on 9/18/2021

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Lakshmi K. on 11/23/2022

Great info

Kenneth R. on 12/4/2022

Renato P. on 12/22/2022

GOOD INFOR

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well selected and well presented

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Excellent

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Jennifer W. on 11/2/2024

Excellent review of acute renal colic. Thank you!

Louis M. on 11/2/2024

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Unlimited Nurse CE

Stay up to date on the latest medical knowledge with 6821 CE activities. In these online self-assessment activities, read our reference articles and test your knowledge with more than 8103.5 hours of CE.

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