Version July 2025
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What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of yourself after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
You came to the ED for kidney stones. Sometimes, stones that start in the kidney are found in other places. These might be called "ureteral stones."
Most of the time, a kidney stone leaves the body when you urinate. But sometimes, the stone gets stuck on the way out. This can cause pain in the lower back, side, or lower belly. You might also have blood in your urine, and it can hurt when you urinate.
The staff thinks it is safe for you to try to pass your kidney stone at home.
How do I care for myself at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for yourself. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your regular doctor or urologist and tell them you were in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Drink lots of fluids to help pass the stone.
●Take all your medicines as instructed:
•You might need to take pain medicine as the kidney stone passes. In some cases, the doctor might prescribe a strong pain medicine. You can also take non-prescription medicines to relieve pain, such as acetaminophen (sample brand name: Tylenol), ibuprofen (sample brand names: Advil, Motrin), or naproxen (sample brand name: Aleve).
•The doctor might prescribe medicine to help with nausea or vomiting, such as ondansetron (brand name: Zofran).
•The doctor might prescribe medicine to increase the chance that the stone will pass on its own. An example is tamsulosin (brand name: Flomax).
●You might be asked to use a filter to strain your urine. The filter catches the stones. In some cases, your doctor might want to test the stones to learn more about them. If so, they will tell you where to bring the stone if you catch it.
When should I get emergency help?
●Return to the ED if you:
•Do not urinate for more than 8 hours
•Have severe pain that is not getting better, even after taking pain medicine.
•Are vomiting and cannot keep fluids down
•Have a fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or chills
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if:
●Your urine is cloudy, smells bad, has blood in it all the time, or has blood clots.
●Your pain does not go away after 1 to 2 weeks.
●You have new or worsening symptoms.
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stone diet (The Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Kidney stones in adults (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Blood in the urine (hematuria) in adults (Beyond the Basics)
