Question

A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled to undergo extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for urolithiasis. Which of the following actions should the nurse plan to take?

A. Place the client in a semi-Fowler's position.
B. Assist with the client's intubation.
C. Begin a 24-hr urine specimen collection after the procedure.
D. Apply electrodes for cardiac monitoring.

Answer 1

The correct nursing action to plan for when a client is undergoing extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for urolithiasis is applying electrodes for cardiac monitoring, to monitor the client's heart during the procedure.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse is planning care for a client who is scheduled to undergo extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for urolithiasis. Among the actions that the nurse should plan to take, applying electrodes for cardiac monitoring is the correct choice. This is due to the fact that during the ESWL, the client might experience changes in heart rhythm as a reaction to the shock waves or sedation. It is crucial for the nurse to monitor the client's cardiac status continuously throughout the procedure to detect any adverse reactions promptly.

Placing the client in a semi-Fowler's position and assisting with the client's intubation are not routine actions for the ESWL procedure since it's a noninvasive treatment and does not typically require intubation. The 24-hour urine specimen collection may follow later after the procedure but is not the immediate action to be planned for the ESWL treatment.