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. This statement is not correct. Potassium citrate does not dissolve existing kidney stones. It is used to prevent the formation of certain types of stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones.

B. This is the correct answer. Potassium citrate is an alkalizing agent that helps reduce the acidity of urine. By making the urine less acidic, it can help prevent the formation of certain types of stones, such as uric acid stones.

C. Potassium citrate does not increase calcium levels in the body. It may help prevent the formation of calcium oxalate stones, but it does not affect overall calcium levels.

D. Potassium citrate does not decrease urine output. It primarily works to reduce urine acidity and prevent stone formation.

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.

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