The initial diagnosis is based on clinical findings; definitive diagnosis can be established via various mediums. Many emergency departments will provide easy access to an intra-venous urogram (IVU)...

The initial diagnosis is based on clinical findings; definitive diagnosis can be established via various mediums. Many emergency departments will provide easy access to an intra-venous urogram (IVU) for the diagnosis of renal colic. Many other tests exist with equal prognostic value to an IVU; helical CT scanning currently remains the gold standard (Leslie 2006). Identify which tests are available within your clinical areas. By knowing which tests are available and how they are performed you will be able to inform the patient about what they are about to experience.