West Coast EMT Program Practice Exam 2025 - Free EMT Practice Questions and Study Guide

A renal injury can result in a variety of symptoms due to the kidneys' location and their function in the body. Flank pain and swelling, blood in the urine, and nausea and vomiting are all indicative of possible renal damage, but the presence of a hematoma in the flank region is particularly alarming.

A hematoma, which is a localized collection of blood outside of blood vessels, suggests that there has been significant trauma or injury to the renal area. This can indicate bleeding and may lead to serious complications, including rupturing of the kidney or severe hemorrhage. The identification of a hematoma during a physical assessment is a critical symptom that typically requires immediate medical intervention and further evaluation, such as imaging studies, to determine the extent of the injury and appropriate treatment.

While other symptoms are also important to note in assessing a renal injury, the presence of a hematoma is more definitive and severe, signaling possible complications that need urgent attention.