A client with BPH is experiencing nocturia and has reported difficulty sleeping due to frequent nighttime urination. The nurse should recognize these symptoms as related to:

A. This is the correct answer. In cases of acute urinary retention, immediate relief is achieved through catheterization to drain the bladder and relieve the obstruction caused by the enlarged prostate.

B. Medications to reduce bladder spasms may be used as an adjunct to catheterization in managing urinary retention but are not the primary intervention for relieving the obstruction.

C. Invasive surgical intervention may be considered for persistent or severe cases of BPH, but it is not the initial step in managing acute urinary retention.

D. Increased fluid intake may be beneficial for overall bladder health but will not directly relieve the obstruction causing acute urinary retention.

Questions

A. Relaxing the smooth muscles in the bladder neck is the action of alpha-blockers, not 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

B. This is the correct answer. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors work by blocking the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is involved in the growth of the prostate gland, and reducing its levels can help shrink the prostate and improve urinary flow in BPH.

C. Inhibiting bacterial growth in the prostate gland is the action of antibiotics, not 5-alpha reductase inhibitors.

D. Contracting the prostate gland is not a desired effect in BPH management.