A nurse is caring for a client who had a kidney stone removed through percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL). The nurse should closely monitor the client for which potential complication?

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. Pain relief is important in managing kidney stone pain, but potassium citrate is not primarily prescribed for this purpose.

B. Acid-base balance regulation may be one of the functions of potassium citrate, but it is not the primary purpose when prescribed to a client with renal calculus.

C. Urinary tract infection treatment is not the primary purpose of potassium citrate. While it may have some benefits in preventing certain types of urinary tract infections associated with stones, its primary purpose is not to treat infections.

D. This is the correct answer. Potassium citrate is prescribed to help dissolve certain types of kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones and uric acid stones. It works by increasing the pH of the urine, making it more alkaline and less conducive to stone formation.