Final answer:
Clients with cystine nephrolithiasis should have an alkaline ash diet to prevent stone formation, as alkaline conditions in the urine can inhibit the development of cystine stones.
Step-by-step explanation:
Clients with cystine nephrolithiasis should have a alkaline ash diet. This recommendation is made because an alkaline diet helps to increase the pH of urine, making it less hospitable for the formation of cystine stones. Monobasic and dibasic sodium and potassium phosphates are known to make the urine more alkaline in nature. As the presence of monobasic phosphates can raise urine pH, diets that are higher in these alkaline substances, typically vegetarian diets rich in fruits and vegetables, can be beneficial for patients with cystine nephrolithiasis.
Conversely, acid forming diets, which are rich in protein and often associated with non-vegetarian diets, lead to more acidic plasma and urine. This increased acidity can promote the formation of cystine stones in susceptible individuals. Thus, an alkaline ash diet is recommended to prevent the recurrence of cystine nephrolithiasis.