In hospital
I hope you're okay! Is there anything I can help you with while you're in the hospital? Whether it's medical information, keeping yourself occupied, or something else entirely - just let me know.
In hospital, give flush means?
In a hospital context, a "flush" refers to injecting a small amount of saline (saltwater) or heparin solution through an IV line or catheter to:
- Clear the line - push out any remaining medication or blood so the line stays open and unblocked
- Check patency - confirm the IV is still properly in the vein and not blocked or displaced
- Prevent clotting - keep blood from sitting in the line and clotting between uses
- Separate medications - given between two incompatible drugs to avoid a chemical reaction in the tubing
Common flush solutions:
- Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl) - most common, used before and after medications
- Heparin flush - low-dose blood thinner, used in some central lines to prevent clotting
When is it done?
- Before and after every IV medication dose
- After drawing blood from a line
- Routinely every few hours on unused IV lines
- When checking if an IV is still working
What you might feel: A cool or slightly cold sensation as the fluid enters the vein - this is normal. If you feel pain, burning, or swelling at the IV site during a flush, tell the nurse immediately - it may mean the IV has "tissued" (come out of the vein).
Is there something specific about a flush you'd like to know more about?
Bladder wash meaning
A bladder wash (also called bladder irrigation) is the process of flushing the urinary bladder with a sterile solution through a catheter.
Why It's Done
- Clear blood clots - common after bladder or prostate surgery (e.g., TURP)
- Remove debris/sediment - mucus, pus, or tissue fragments blocking the catheter
- Prevent catheter blockage - keeps the urine draining freely
- Treat bladder infections - instilling antiseptic or antibiotic solution directly
- Reduce bladder spasms - in some post-op cases
How It's Done
- A sterile syringe (usually 50-60 mL) filled with normal saline is connected to the catheter
- Solution is gently pushed into the bladder
- Then drained back out (by gravity or gentle aspiration)
- Repeated until the returning fluid runs clear
Types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Intermittent | Done manually at intervals by a nurse |
| Continuous | Saline drips in constantly via a 3-way catheter (common post-prostate/bladder surgery) |
What to Expect
- Mild pressure or urge to urinate during the wash - normal
- Pain, burning, or no return of fluid - tell the nurse immediately
Is this being done for you or a family member? I can explain further based on the specific situation.
On episode of vomiting, stomach ache, loin pain ,mild back pain , pain radiating to back side
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loin pain radiating back vomiting kidney stone renal colic symptoms
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Your symptom pattern - loin pain + vomiting + stomach ache + back pain with radiation - is the classic picture of Renal/Ureteric Colic, most commonly caused by a kidney stone (urolithiasis).
What Is Renal/Ureteric Colic?
When a kidney stone moves from the kidney into the ureter (the tube connecting kidney to bladder), it causes a blockage. The backed-up pressure stretches the kidney and ureter, triggering severe, wave-like pain.
Your Symptoms Explained
| Symptom | Why It Happens |
|---|---|
| Loin pain | Distension of the renal capsule from blocked urine flow |
| Back pain | Referred pain from the kidney/ureter area |
| Pain radiating to back/groin | Stone tracking down the ureter - pain follows the genitofemoral nerve (L1-L2) |
| Stomach ache | Reflex response - the gut shares nerve pathways with the ureter |
| Vomiting | Reflex nausea/vomiting triggered by severe pain and shared nerve supply |
As the textbook states: "Typically the patient is seized with sudden pain starting in the loin and radiating down to the testis, groin or inner side of the thigh... It is often accompanied by vomiting and profuse sweating." - S Das, Manual on Clinical Surgery
Other Possible Causes to Rule Out
Doctors will also consider:
- Pyelonephritis (kidney infection) - similar pain but usually with fever and burning urine
- Pancreatitis - upper abdominal pain radiating to the back
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm - serious, must be excluded
- Muscle strain - mild back pain only, no vomiting
Tests Likely Being Done
- Urine test - looking for blood in urine (haematuria), which confirms stone
- Ultrasound or CT scan - to locate the stone
- Blood tests - kidney function (creatinine, urea)
- X-ray (KUB) - can sometimes see the stone
Treatment
- Pain relief - anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac) or stronger painkillers
- IV fluids - hydration helps pass the stone
- Anti-nausea medication - to control vomiting
- Monitor for spontaneous passage - stones 5mm or less usually pass on their own (95% chance)
- Surgery/procedures - if the stone is large or causes obstruction/infection
Since you're already in hospital, you're in the right place. Let the doctors know if the pain gets significantly worse or you develop a fever - that could mean infection alongside the blockage, which needs urgent treatment.
Is there anything specific you'd like to understand better?
What tests do they do to diagnose kidney stones?
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kidney stone diagnosis tests investigations CT KUB urinalysis 2024
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Here is a clear breakdown of all the tests used to diagnose kidney stones:
Tests for Kidney Stones
🔬 1. Urine Tests
| Test | What It Looks For |
|---|---|
| Urine dipstick | Blood in urine (haematuria) - present in ~80% of stone cases |
| Urine microscopy | Red blood cells, crystals, signs of infection |
| Urine culture | Rules out a urinary tract infection (UTI) alongside the stone |
| 24-hour urine collection | Checks calcium, oxalate, uric acid levels (done later to find the cause) |
Blood in urine (haematuria) is one of the key clues - even if you can't see it, the dipstick picks it up microscopically.
🩸 2. Blood Tests
| Test | What It Checks |
|---|---|
| Creatinine & Urea | How well the kidneys are working |
| Calcium | High calcium can cause certain stones |
| Uric acid | Elevated in uric acid stones |
| FBC (Full Blood Count) | Checks for infection/inflammation |
| CRP | Inflammation marker - raised if infection is present |
🖥️ 3. Imaging - The Most Important Part
| Scan | Details |
|---|---|
| CT KUB ⭐ (Gold Standard) | Non-contrast CT scan of Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder. Detects nearly all stones including those invisible on X-ray. Fast and very accurate. |
| Ultrasound | Safe (no radiation), used first in pregnancy and children. Can show kidney swelling (hydronephrosis) but may miss small stones in the ureter. |
| X-ray (Plain KUB) | Quick, but only shows calcium stones (~90% of stones). Misses radiolucent stones (uric acid). Not reliable alone. |
| Intravenous Urogram (IVU) | Older test using dye injection to outline the urinary tract. Now largely replaced by CT. |
| MRI | Rarely used for stones, but can be used in pregnancy if needed. |
🪨 4. Stone Analysis (if stone is passed)
If you pass a stone in your urine, it is collected and sent to the lab to determine what type it is:
- Calcium oxalate (most common ~75%)
- Uric acid
- Struvite (infection-related)
- Cystine (rare, genetic)
Knowing the type helps prevent future stones.
What the Hospital Will Likely Do for You Right Now
- Urine dipstick - done at bedside, very quick
- Blood tests - kidney function, full blood count
- CT KUB or Ultrasound - to confirm stone location and size
- Pain relief + fluids while results come back
The CT KUB is the most definitive test - it shows the stone's exact location and size, which determines whether you can wait for it to pass naturally or need a procedure. Let me know if you'd like to understand any of these tests further!
No stomach pain
Good to hear the stomach pain has settled! That's actually a positive sign.
With kidney stones, pain typically comes in waves (colic) - it can be severe one moment and ease off completely the next. This happens because:
- The stone shifts position in the ureter
- The ureter muscle relaxes temporarily between spasms
- Pain-relieving medication is working
What You May Still Feel
- Loin/back pain - can come and go
- Nausea - may linger even after pain eases
- Mild ache in the flank/side
- Urge to urinate frequently - especially if the stone is moving down toward the bladder
Good Signs to Watch For
✅ Pain reducing overall
✅ Able to keep fluids down
✅ Passing urine normally
Warning Signs - Tell the Nurse Immediately If:
⚠️ Pain suddenly becomes much worse
⚠️ You develop a fever or chills (could mean infection)
⚠️ You stop passing urine
⚠️ You feel faint or very unwell
Tip: Try to urinate through a filter or gauze if the nurses provide one - this is how they catch the stone if it passes, so it can be analysed in the lab.
Are you currently on any drip (IV fluids) or pain medication?
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