Postprocedure care after percutaneous lithotripsy: which instruction should the nurse give?

Postprocedure care after percutaneous lithotripsy: which instruction should the nurse give?

• A. Notify the physician about cloudy or foul-smelling urine
• B. Increase fluids and restrict activity
• C. Avoid fluids for 6 hours
• D. Take sitz baths daily

Answer: (A)

After percutaneous lithotripsy, watching for infection and ensuring urine drainage are key concerns. Cloudy or foul-smelling urine suggests a urinary tract infection or possible obstruction from stone fragments or catheter drainage, and reporting this promptly allows timely assessment and treatment to prevent escalation to sepsis or other complications. Fluids are generally encouraged to flush the tract, and activity can usually be resumed as tolerated; restricting activity, avoiding fluids, or taking sitz baths daily are not standard postprocedure instructions and could pose unnecessary risks. Therefore, telling the clinician about abnormal urine characteristics is the most important action.

After percutaneous lithotripsy, watching for infection and ensuring urine drainage are key concerns. Cloudy or foul-smelling urine suggests a urinary tract infection or possible obstruction from stone fragments or catheter drainage, and reporting this promptly allows timely assessment and treatment to prevent escalation to sepsis or other complications. Fluids are generally encouraged to flush the tract, and activity can usually be resumed as tolerated; restricting activity, avoiding fluids, or taking sitz baths daily are not standard postprocedure instructions and could pose unnecessary risks. Therefore, telling the clinician about abnormal urine characteristics is the most important action.