A client is prescribed alpha-blockers as part of the management of renal calculi. The nurse explains that these medications can help with stone passage by:

A. This is the correct answer. After a ureteroscopy, the client may experience postoperative urinary retention due to swelling or irritation in the urethra or bladder. The nurse should monitor for signs of urinary retention and take appropriate measures to address it.

B. Hyperkalemia is not directly related to ureteroscopy. It may occur in certain medical conditions but is not a common complication of this procedure.

C. Hypertension is not directly related to ureteroscopy. While some clients with hypertension may be at increased risk for kidney stones, hypertension is not a common complication of the procedure itself.

D. Hypoglycemia is not related to ureteroscopy. It is a condition related to low blood sugar levels and is not a typical complication of kidney stone removal.

A. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is typically used for smaller stones that can be broken up into smaller fragments and passed more easily. It is not usually recommended for large stones.

B. This is the correct answer. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a procedure used to remove larger kidney stones. It involves making a small incision in the back and inserting a nephroscope to directly visualize and remove the stone.

C. Ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy is used for stones in the ureter, not in the kidney itself.

D. Cystoscopy with stent placement is used for conditions involving the lower urinary tract, such as the urethra and bladder, and is not typically used to remove kidney stones.