A client with a history of kidney stones is prescribed allopurinol. The nurse should recognize that this medication is primarily used to:

A. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) does not typically require general anesthesia. It is usually done under sedation or with the use of local anesthesia.

B. The procedure does not involve the insertion of a scope into the urinary tract. ESWL is a non-invasive procedure that uses shock waves to break up the stone from outside the body.

C. This is the correct answer. ESWL involves the use of high-energy shock waves that are focused on the stone to break it up into smaller fragments. The fragments are then passed out of the body through the urine.

D. A urinary catheter is not typically required after ESWL. The client may be encouraged to drink plenty of fluids to help flush out the stone fragments, but a catheter is not usually needed.

Questions

A. Fever and chills are more commonly associated with a urinary tract infection, which can sometimes be a complication of kidney stones. However, the severe pain described is more likely related to the presence of the stone itself.

B. This is the correct answer. Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, is a common symptom of kidney stones. As the stone moves through the urinary tract, it may cause irritation and small blood vessels may be damaged, resulting in blood in the urine.

C. Difficulty starting the urine stream is not a specific symptom of kidney stones. It may be seen in other urinary conditions but is not typically associated with stones.

D. The frequent urge to urinate may be experienced if the stone causes irritation in the bladder, but it is not the most common symptom associated with kidney stones.