Question

A female client admitted with abdominal pain is diagnosed with cholelithiasis. The client asks the registered nurse (RN) what she should expect as a common treatment. What recommended plan of care should the nurse provide the client?

Rest with liquid diet only.
Drugs such as ursodiol.
Cholecystectomy via laparoscopy.
LaVeen vena caval shunt.

Answer 1

The recommended plan of care for cholelithiasis often includes medication like ursodiol for smaller gallstones or a laparoscopic cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder. Careful postoperative monitoring is crucial.

Step-by-step explanation:

A common treatment for a female client diagnosed with cholelithiasis (gallstones) would typically involve options such as medications like ursodiol, which helps to dissolve smaller gallstones, or a cholecystectomy via laparoscopy, which is a surgical procedure to remove the gallbladder. The use of a LaVeen vena caval shunt is not related to the treatment of gallstones. The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is often the recommended plan of care as it minimally invasive and has a quick recovery time. This procedure is followed by careful monitoring for any postoperative complications such as infection or issues relating to bile ducts.