A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has received treatment for kidney stones. The nurse should remind the client to increase intake of which of the following?

A. Sodium: High sodium intake increases the urinary excretion of calcium, which promotes the formation of calcium-based calculi. Excessive salt also reduces the effectiveness of certain medications used to prevent stone recurrence. Clients are generally advised to follow a low-sodium diet to decrease the saturation of stone-forming minerals in the urine. B. Water: Increasing water consumption is the most effective way to lower the concentration of solutes such as calcium, oxalate, and uric acid. Maintaining a high urine volume ensures that minerals remain dissolved and are mechanically flushed from the urinary tract. Clients should aim for a daily output of at least 2.5 liters to prevent crystallization. C. Protein: Diets high in animal protein increase urinary uric acid and calcium levels while simultaneously decreasing citrate, which is a natural stone inhibitor. This metabolic shift creates an acidic environment that is highly conducive to stone formation. Reducing excessive protein intake is a key dietary recommendation for those with a history of nephrolithiasis. D. Tea: Many varieties of tea are high in oxalates, which can combine with calcium to form the most common type of kidney stone. Frequent consumption of strong tea can inadvertently increase the risk of recurrent calcium oxalate calculi. Clients should be encouraged to choose water or citrus-based fluids instead of high-oxalate beverages.