Treatment Outcomes For Lithotripsy & Laser Procedures

When treating bilateral kidney stones, it is suggested to stent one side to prevent renal shut down in case of bilateral ureteral obstruction from stone fragments. Stenting one side allows for the passage of urine and prevents the build-up of pressure in the kidneys, which can lead to renal shut down. By keeping one side open, the stent ensures that urine can continue to flow and prevents the risk of kidney damage or failure due to obstruction from stone fragments.

The tech's responsibility at the completion of the case is not to transport the patient to the recovery room. This responsibility may fall on other healthcare professionals such as nurses or orderlies. The tech's responsibilities include completing all paperwork and data entry, including stone measurements, as well as recording any adverse events or irregularities that occurred during the procedure.

Patients with a known infected stone or staghorn calculus should have a urine culture on the chart because it helps in identifying the specific bacteria causing the infection and guides appropriate antibiotic treatment. They should also be covered with an appropriate antibiotic to prevent the spread of infection and promote healing. Additionally, they should not have a fever at the time of Lithotripsy, as fever indicates an ongoing infection that needs to be resolved before the procedure. Therefore, all of the above options are relevant and necessary for the management of patients with infected stones or staghorn calculi.

The technologist should examine the chart, the x-ray, and/or ask the patient about all the options except whether they have a bloodborne disease such as HIV. This is because HIV is not directly related to the examination of the chart, x-ray, or the stone's location. The other options, such as asking about medication use, stone location, and evidence of urinary infection with fever, are relevant to the examination and diagnosis process.

Lithotripsy of a kidney stone should terminate when both the targeted stone is pulverized and 3000 shocks have been administered. This means that the procedure should end when the stone has been completely broken down into smaller fragments and a sufficient number of shocks have been delivered to ensure its fragmentation. This ensures that the stone is effectively treated and the patient's condition is improved.

Kidney stones are hard deposits that form in the kidneys. The lower pole and pelvis of the kidney are the most common sites for kidney stones to develop. This is because the urine tends to collect and stagnate in these areas, allowing minerals and other substances to crystallize and form stones. The lower pole and pelvis are also more prone to blockages, which can further contribute to the formation of kidney stones. Therefore, it is important to identify and treat kidney stones in these areas to prevent complications and alleviate symptoms.

Patients with pacemakers implanted in the chest can usually be treated without problems. Patients with defibrillators or pacemakers implanted in the abdomen should not receive lithotripsy. A cardiology consultant should be available to reprogram the pacemaker if its internal programming is altered by the shock waves. Therefore, all of the statements are true.

The patient being obese and hard to target the stone would not increase the risk of post-op bleeding following renal stone lithotripsy. The risk of bleeding is primarily associated with the use of anticoagulant medications like low-dose aspirin, which can interfere with blood clotting. Advil, although a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, does not have a significant impact on bleeding risk compared to anticoagulants. Starting lithotripsy at maximum power due to anesthesia does not directly affect bleeding risk, but it may increase the likelihood of complications such as tissue damage.

The purpose of strapping is to immobilize the patient. Strapping involves securing the patient's body or limbs using straps or bands to restrict movement. This is done to ensure that the patient remains still during medical procedures or treatments, preventing any potential harm or injury. By immobilizing the patient, healthcare professionals can safely and effectively perform necessary interventions without any risk of movement interference.

Tight compression of the patient with straps against the shock head can cause skin burns. This is because the straps may create friction and pressure against the skin, leading to irritation, redness, and even blistering or burning of the skin. The compression can restrict blood flow and cause damage to the skin, especially if the straps are left in place for a prolonged period of time. The other options, GI symptoms from compression of the gut and arthritic pain, are not directly related to the compression of the patient with straps against the shock head.