A client is prescribed alpha-blockers as part of the management of renal calculi. The nurse explains that these medications can help with stone passage by:

A. This is the correct answer. After percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), the client may experience urinary retention due to swelling and irritation around the bladder or urethra from the procedure. The nurse should monitor the client for signs of urinary retention, such as difficulty urinating or a distended bladder, and take appropriate measures to relieve the obstruction.

B. Hyperkalemia is not directly related to PCNL. It may occur in certain medical conditions but is not a common complication of this procedure.

C. Hypoglycemia is not related to PCNL. It is a condition related to low blood sugar levels and is not a typical complication of kidney stone removal.

D. Hypertension is not directly related to PCNL. While some clients with hypertension may be at increased risk for kidney stones, hypertension is not a common complication of PCNL itself.

Questions

A. Uric acid stones may cause pain, but they do not typically present with costovertebral angle tenderness. Uric acid stones are more likely to be associated with gout and hyperuricemia.

B. Calcium oxalate stones are common and can cause pain, but they do not typically cause costovertebral angle tenderness. They are more likely to cause localized pain in the back or side.

C. This is the correct answer. Struvite stones, also known as infection stones, can cause severe pain that radiates to the back and lower abdomen. They are often associated with urinary tract infections, and the presence of an infection can lead to costovertebral angle tenderness.

D. Cystine stones are rare and are more likely to cause chronic, dull pain rather than sudden and severe pain with tenderness.