Final answer:
A kidney stone in the upper urethra or renal pelvis can cause severe episodic pain known as renal colic, nausea, vomiting, and hematuria due to obstruction and subsequent dilation, stretching, and muscle spasm trying to move the stone.
Step-by-step explanation:
A kidney stone located in the upper urethra or renal pelvis can cause significant symptoms due to obstruction. These stones, also known as renal calculi, can vary in size and impact. When a kidney stone grows at least 2-3 millimeters in size, it may cause obstruction of the ureter, leading to the dilation or stretching of the upper ureter and renal pelvis. This can result in intense episodic pain, commonly experienced in the flank, lower abdomen, and groin, a condition known as renal colic. Accompanying symptoms may include nausea and vomiting because of the close developmental relationship between the kidneys and the intestinal tract. Additionally, hematuria, which is the presence of blood in the urine due to damage within the urinary tract, is commonly observed.