Final answer:
The nurse should expect to find bruising on the lower abdomen of a patient who underwent extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) 6 hours ago, as it is a common post-procedure outcome due to the minor blood vessel disruption caused by the shock waves.
Step-by-step explanation:
A nurse assessing a client who had extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) 6 hours ago should expect to find some common post-procedure outcomes. One expected finding in the patient post-ESWL could be bruising on the lower abdomen. ESWL is a non-invasive treatment used to break up kidney stones into smaller fragments that can be passed more easily. The shock waves used in this procedure can sometimes cause bruising, as they are directed at the kidney stone through the body tissue, leading to minor blood vessel disruption beneath the skin.
It's important for nurses and clinicians to monitor for symptoms that are typical after ESWL, such as mild to moderate pain, blood in the urine, or bruising. Patients should be informed that these symptoms are part of the normal healing process and typically resolve on their own. More serious symptoms, such as severe pain, fever, or chills, could indicate complications and should prompt immediate medical evaluation.