Final answer:
A nurse should prioritize the management of pain and urinary obstruction when caring for a client with an acute episode of ureteral calculi. This includes pain medication, potentially lithotripsy or stent placement, and a urine culture to rule out infection.
Step-by-step explanation:
The priority client problem a nurse should address when caring for a client diagnosed with acute episode of ureteral calculi is the management of pain and blockage associated with the stones. Ureteral calculi, commonly known as kidney stones, can cause severe discomfort and medical issues such as urinary obstruction.
The pain, termed renal colic, is often intense and may require treatment with pain medication. Additionally, if the stone causes a blockage, procedures such as lithotripsy or the placement of a ureteral stent may be needed to allow the stone and urine to pass. It is also essential to perform a urine culture to exclude a urinary tract infection, which can mimic or compound the symptoms of kidney stones.
Preventive strategies after treatment should include adequate hydration, dietary modifications, and monitoring of urinary constituents to prevent the formation of new stones. Ensuring the patient understands these prevention techniques is also a key role for the nurse.