The immediate objective of nursing care for an overweight, mildly hypertensive male client with ureteral colic and hematuria is to decrease:
A. Pain.
B. Weight.
C. Hematuria.
D. Hypertension.
Correct Answer: A. Pain.
Sharp, severe pain (renal colic) radiating toward the genitalia and thigh is caused by urethral distention and smooth muscle spasm; relief from pain is the priority.
Option B: Weight management reduces the strain on the heart. Being overweight puts extra strain on the heart, increasing the risk for developing hypertension and damage to the blood vessels.
Option C: Approximately 85% of all patients with renal colic demonstrate at least microscopic hematuria, which means that 15% of all patients with kidney stones do not have hematuria, but the lack of it does not exclude the diagnosis of acute renal colic.
Option D: Hypertension can be managed with lifestyle changes, such as increasing activities and smarter food choices.