Final answer:
The nurse is monitoring for kidney stones, which are solid crystals that form in the kidneys from minerals in urine. Symptoms of kidney stones include severe episodic pain most commonly felt in the flank, lower abdomen, and groin (renal colic), hematuria (bloody urine), and obstruction of the ureter.
Step-by-step explanation:
While caring for a client with renal calculi, the nurse is monitoring for kidney stones. Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, are solid crystals that form in the kidneys from minerals in urine. The nurse will be specifically monitoring for symptoms such as severe episodic pain most commonly felt in the flank, lower abdomen, and groin (renal colic), hematuria (bloody urine), and any obstruction of the ureter that may cause a decrease in kidney function and damage to the kidney.