A nurse is assessing a client with BPH who complains of difficulty starting the urinary stream and a weak urine flow. The nurse observes that the client's bladder is distended and palpates a firm, enlarged prostate on digital rectal examination. The nurse should recognize these findings as suggestive of:

A. Alpha-blockers do not directly reduce the size of the prostate gland. They work by relaxing the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and prostate, improving urinary flow and reducing obstructive voiding symptoms.

B. This is the correct answer. Alpha-blockers are commonly prescribed for BPH to relax the smooth muscles of the bladder neck and prostate, relieving the obstruction and improving urine flow.

C. Inhibiting the production of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is the mechanism of action of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, not alpha-blockers. DHT plays a role in prostate enlargement, and inhibiting its production can reduce the size of the prostate over time.

D. Alpha-blockers do not enhance urine production by the kidneys. They primarily focus on relaxing the smooth muscles to improve urinary flow.

Questions

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