Question

The nurse is caring for a patient who underwent percutaneous lithotripsy earlier in the day. What instruction should the nurse give the patient?

A) Limit oral fluid intake for 1 to 2 days.
B) Report the presence of fine, sand like particles through the nephrostomy tube.
C) Notify the physician about cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
D) Report any pink-tinged urine within 24 hours after the procedure."

Answer 1

The nurse should instruct the patient to report cloudy or foul-smelling urine after percutaneous lithotripsy, as it may indicate an infection. The patient should also maintain a high fluid intake to promote the passage of stone fragments and reduce the risk of infections.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct instruction that the nurse should give the patient who underwent percutaneous lithotripsy is to notify the physician about cloudy or foul-smelling urine. This indication could be the sign of an infection, which is important to address promptly. Lithotripsy is a procedure that uses high-intensity ultrasound pulses to break up kidney stones, and while it is non-invasive, it can still cause damage to the kidneys, potentially leading to infection.

Patients should also be encouraged to drink enough water to facilitate the passage of stone fragments through the urine. Having ample fluid intake helps produce 2 to 2.5 liters of urine per day, which is beneficial for preventing future stone formation and aiding recovery post-lithotripsy. A culture of urine sample might be necessary to exclude urine infection, and any symptoms of a urinary tract infection or changes in the urine should be reported to the healthcare provider immediately.