A nurse is providing education to a client who has experienced recurrent kidney stones. The client asks, "What can I do to prevent future kidney stones?" What is the nurse's best response?

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. This is the correct answer. Kidney stone pain is often described as colicky, which means it comes and goes in waves of severe pain. The pain can be intense and cramp-like, causing the client to writhe or be restless.

B. Gnawing pain is not typically associated with kidney stones. Gnawing pain is often described as a persistent, dull ache that can be more chronic in nature.

C. Stabbing pain is sharp and localized and is not typically used to describe kidney stone pain.

D. Numbing pain refers to a loss of sensation, which is not characteristic of kidney stone pain.