Which of the following is an example of an appropriate nursing intervention for a client recovering from lithotripsy?

Get ready for the NCLEX Exam! Practice with our comprehensive quizzes and multiple choice questions. Each question offers detailed explanations to help you understand the material and improve your test-taking skills. Boost your confidence today!

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of an appropriate nursing intervention for a client recovering from lithotripsy?

Monitoring vital signs closely is an appropriate nursing intervention for a client recovering from lithotripsy because it allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's immediate response to the procedure and detect any potential complications early. Lithotripsy, a procedure that uses shock waves to break up kidney stones, can lead to various side effects such as bleeding, infection, or significant pain. By keeping a close watch on vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, nurses can identify deviations from the norm that may indicate complications, thus ensuring prompt intervention if necessary. In contrast, encouraging fluid restrictions would be inappropriate during recovery from lithotripsy, as increased fluid intake is typically recommended to help flush out any stone fragments. A clear liquid diet may be beneficial immediately before or after the procedure but does not specifically apply to the ongoing care needed during recovery. Lastly, limiting movement to bed rest only does not align with typical recovery protocols, as clients are usually encouraged to mobilize as tolerated to facilitate recovery and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis.

Monitoring vital signs closely is an appropriate nursing intervention for a client recovering from lithotripsy because it allows the healthcare provider to assess the patient's immediate response to the procedure and detect any potential complications early. Lithotripsy, a procedure that uses shock waves to break up kidney stones, can lead to various side effects such as bleeding, infection, or significant pain. By keeping a close watch on vital signs, including heart rate, blood pressure, and temperature, nurses can identify deviations from the norm that may indicate complications, thus ensuring prompt intervention if necessary.

In contrast, encouraging fluid restrictions would be inappropriate during recovery from lithotripsy, as increased fluid intake is typically recommended to help flush out any stone fragments. A clear liquid diet may be beneficial immediately before or after the procedure but does not specifically apply to the ongoing care needed during recovery. Lastly, limiting movement to bed rest only does not align with typical recovery protocols, as clients are usually encouraged to mobilize as tolerated to facilitate recovery and prevent complications such as deep vein thrombosis.

More practice questions