Kidney Stones NCLEX Questions TEST 2
A client is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of renal calculi. The client is experiencing severe flank pain and nausea; the temperature is 100.6 ° F (38.1 ° C). Which of the following would be a priority outcome for this client? 1. Prevention of urinary tract complications. 2. Alleviation of nausea. 3. Alleviation of pain. 4. Maintenance of fluid and electrolyte balance.
3. The priority nursing goal for this client is to alleviate the pain, which can be excruciating. Prevention of urinary tract complications and alleviation of nausea are appropriate throughout the client's hospitalization, but relief of the severe pain is a priority. The client is at little risk for fluid and electrolyte imbalance.
The client is scheduled to have a kidney, ureter, and bladder (KUB) radiograph. To prepare the client for this procedure, the nurse should explain to the client that: 1. Fluid and food will be withheld the morning of the examination. 2. A tranquilizer will be given before the examination. 3. An enema will be given before the examination. 4. No special preparation is required for the examination.
4. A KUB radiographic examination ordinarily requires no preparation. It is usually done while the client lies supine and does not involve the use of radiopaque substances.
The client returns to the nursing unit following a pyelolithotomy for removal of a kidney stone. A Penrose drain is in place. Which of the following would the nurse include on the client's postoperative care? A. Sterile irrigation of the Penrose drain B. Frequent dressing changes around the Penrose drain C. Weighing the dressings D. Maintaining the client's position on the affected side
B. Frequent dressing changes around the Penrose drain Frequent dressing changes around the Penrose drain is required to protect the skin against breakdown from urinary drainage. If urinary drainage is excessive, an ostomy pouch may be placed over the drain to protect the skin. A Penrose drain is not irrigated. Weighing the dressings is not necessary. Placing the client on the affected side will prevent a free flow of urine through the drain.
The nurse is receiving in transfer from the postanesthesia care unit a client who has had a percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy for calculuses in the renal pelvis. The nurse anticipates that the client's care will involve monitoring which of the following? A. Suprapubic tube B. Urethral stent C. Nephrostomy tube D. Jackson-Pratt drain
C. Nephrostomy Tube A nephrostomy tube is put in place after a percutaneous ultrasonic lithotripsy to treat calculuses in the renal pelvis. The client may also have a foley catheter to drain urine produced by the other kidney. The nurse monitors the drainage from each of these tubes and strains the urine to detect elimination of the calculus fragments.
A client with a history of renal calculi formation is being discharged after surgery to remove the calculus. What instructions should the nurse include in the client's discharge teaching plan? 1. Increase daily fluid intake to at least 2 to 3 L. 2. Strain urine at home regularly. 3. Eliminate dairy products from the diet. 4. Follow measures to alkalinize the urine.
1. A high daily fluid intake is essential for all clients who are at risk for calculi formation because it prevents urinary stasis and concentration, which can cause crystallization. Depending on the composition of the stone, the client also may be instructed to institute specific dietary measures aimed at preventing stone formation. Clients may need to limit purine, calcium, or oxalate. Urine may need to be either alkaline or acid. There is no need to strain urine regularly.
Which of the following nursing interventions is likely to provide the most relief from the pain associated with renal colic? 1. Applying moist heat to the flank area. 2. Administering meperidine (Demerol). 3. Encouraging high fluid intake. 4. Maintaining complete bed rest.
2. During episodes of renal colic, the pain is excruciating. It is necessary to administer opioid analgesics to control the pain. Application of heat, encouraging high fluid intake, and limitation of activity are important interventions, but they will not relieve the renal colic pain.
In addition to nausea and severe flank pain, a female client with renal calculi has pain in the groin and bladder. The nurse should assess the client further for signs of: 1. Nephritis. 2. Referred pain. 3. Urine retention. 4. Additional stone formation.
2. The pain associated with renal colic due to calculi is commonly referred to the groin and bladder in female clients and to the testicles in male clients. Nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea may also be present. Nephritis or urine retention is an unlikely cause of the referred pain. The type of pain described in this situation is unlikely to be caused by additional stone formation.
A client who has been diagnosed with calculi reports that the pain is intermittent and less colicky. Which of the following nursing actions is most important at this time? A. Report hematuria to the physician B. Strain the urine carefully C. Administer meperidine (Demerol) every 3 hours D. Apply warm compresses to the flank area
B. Strain the urine carefully Intermittent pain that is less colicky indicates that the calculi may be moving along the urinary tract. Fluids should be encouraged to promote movement, and the urine should be strained to detect passage of the stone. Hematuria is to be expected from the irritation of the stone. Analgesics should be administered when the client needs them, not routinely. Moist heat to the flank area is helpful when renal colic occurs, but it is less necessary as pain is lessened.
A client is admitted with a diagnosis of hydronephrosis secondary to calculi. The calculi have been removed and postobstructive diuresis is occurring. Which of the following interventions should be done? A. Take vital signs every 8 hours B. Weigh the client every other day C. Assess for urine output every shift D. Monitor the client's electrolyte levels
D. Monitor the client's fluid and electrolyte levels Postobstructive diuresis seen in hydronephrosis can cause electrolyte imbalances; lab values must be checked so electrolytes can be replaced as needed. VS should initially be taken every 30 minutes for the first 4 hours and then every 2 hours. Urine output needs to be assessed hourly. The client's weight should be taken daily to assess fluid status more closely.