Preparing for KUB (Kidneys, Ureters,

Bladder)
BY LIANE CLORES, RN APRIL 9, 2014

Nurse Lydia is just new on the job. It has been her dream since she was a kid to be the
angel in the sick room, one of the modern-day superheroes, the lady in white. A few
months ago, she was able to reach that dream, she graduated, took and passed the
board exam and now she is a Registered Nurse. She just cant forget that moment
when she finally saw her name in the lists of passers.
Now that she is finally a nurse, she promised herself that she would do everything
thats he could to help the sick and the needy and to become the best nurse that she
could be. But for now, she is struggling with her first few days on the job. Nursing
reality really is a far cry from nursing school. Its not only theories and assumptions
now, but this is the real thing where you actually deal with real lives. There are still a
lot to learn, she still has a long way to go. Nevertheless, she is still motivated. She is
willing to do whatever it takes to fulfil her promise.
As she scans through the chart and sees a KUB procedure ordered to be performed
within her shift, a bit of hope in her falters. Yes, she has read about KUB, but she
hasnt actually experienced in one before. She feels a wave of anxiety brushing into
her as she worries about not knowing what to do for the procedure.
What if she does some things wrong? she asks herself as she tries to remember
the procedure itself. I hope I get through this, and when I do, Im going to read more
about KUB and all the other procedures so that when another time comes, I wouldnt
be as clueless, she tells herself determinedly.

KUB: An overview
KUB Xray which stands for (Kidneys, Ureters, Bladder) is a procedurethat
may be performed to assess the abdominal area for causes ofabdominal pain,
or to assess the organs and structures of the urinary and/or gastrointestinal
(GI) system. It may be the first diagnosticprocedure to be done when
assessing a patients urinary system. It is also often used to diagnose causes
of abdominal pain. Information including the size and position of the
bladder, kidneys, and ureter may also be viewed.
Usually, this procedure is done to help diagnose the source of nausea,
vomiting, pain or other symptoms related to the abdomen; to help detect and
locate calcifications (i.e., kidney stones ); to identify suspected urinary system
problems, such as a kidney stone; to identify a blockage in the intestine; to
locate a foreign object that has been swallowed; and to assess whether there
is air or fluid in the peritoneal space.
During this test, energy beams from an X-ray machine produce images (take
pictures of structures inside the abdomen) that may allow doctors to view
certain structures of the digestive system, including the intestines and
stomach. It can even diagnose certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as an
intestinal blockage, foreign objects in the stomach, and some tumors, identify
kidney stones and certain types of gallstones.

Preparation for KUB procedure
Before the patient undergoes the procedure, he/she must:
change into a hospital robe or gown and remove jewelry.
Pregnant patients must also notify the doctor to determine whether special
precautions should be taken, or if the procedure may not be recommended to be
carried out since radiation is used during the Xray.
The patient must also notify health care professionals if he/she has had a barium
contrast media x-ray within the last four days and has an IUD currently inserted.

It may also be recommended that patients avoid taking medications that contain
bismuth it for a few days before the test since it may interfere with the results of
the Xray
The technician will explain the procedure, which will likely include the following
steps:
The technician will position the patient depending on which view the
physician would like to obtain. The patient may have to lie on their side, face
up, or stand.
A lead apron is sometimes placed over parts of the body that are not
undergoing the X-ray. This is done to protect them from radiation emitted
from the X-ray machine.
Once the patient is positioned correctly, the X-ray machine is directed at the
body. The patient must remain still as the images are taken.
In some cases, multiple views are needed. This requires that the patient move
into another position as directed so that the technician can obtain multiple
angles.
Usually, this procedure lasts up to 10 minutes and no anesthesia is needed.
As nurses, we must not only carry out certain procedures as ordered. We
must also be knowledgeable on why that procedure was ordered, what needs
to be considered and how to prepare for it. That way, complications may be
avoided and nurses will be able to understand the patients condition better.