Question

A nurse is assessing a client who had a extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) 6 hrs ago. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?

a. Stone fragments in the urine

b. Fever

c. Decreased urine output

d. Bruising on the lower abdomen

Answer 1

After extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), a nurse should expect bruising on the lower abdomen and stone fragments in the urine. Fever and decreased urine output are not typical and could indicate complications.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse assessing a client who had an extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) 6 hrs ago should expect to find certain signs indicating the effectiveness and side effects of the procedure. One of the typical findings after ESWL is bruising on the lower abdomen as the shock waves can cause minor damage to the surrounding tissues leading to bruising. Another expected outcome is the presence of stone fragments in the urine, as the whole purpose of the lithotripsy is to break down large kidney stones into smaller pieces that can more easily pass through the urinary system. However, effective lithotripsy should not typically result in fever or decreased urine output; these symptoms could indicate possible complications such as infection or obstruction and would require further medical assessment.