Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to treat urolithiasis. Why is cardiac telemetry important?

A) To monitor blood glucose levels
B) To assess cardiac function during the procedure
C) To monitor respiratory rate
D) To evaluate renal function

Answer 1

In ESWL, cardiac telemetry is used to monitor and assess the heart's function and rhythm during the procedure, ensuring patient safety by detecting any potential complications immediately.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cardiac Telemetry during ESWL Procedure

Cardiac telemetry is important during extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) to assess cardiac function during the procedure. This noninvasive monitoring allows healthcare professionals to observe the patient's heart rhythm and detect any arrhythmias or other cardiac issues that might arise as a result of the shock waves used in lithotripsy. ESWL is a treatment for urolithiasis, which refers to stones in the urinary tract, and the procedure involves sending shock waves into the body to break up the stones.

Continuous heart monitoring through telemetry is crucial because the shock waves can potentially affect the heart rhythm, especially in patients with a history of heart disease. Cardiac telemetry can help prevent complications by ensuring that any detrimental changes in heart function are identified and managed promptly. It does not directly measure blood glucose levels, respiratory rate, or renal function, so those options are not correct.

While the provided additional information regarding KCl injection for stopping the heart during surgery, thallium-201 stress tests, renal function assessments, and endoscopic ultrasound is relevant to healthcare, it is not directly related to the question about cardiac telemetry in the context of ESWL.