BPH NCLEX QUESTIONS
An older male patient visits his primary care provider because of burning on urination and production of urine that he describes as "foul smelling." The health care provider should assess the patient for what factor that may put him at risk for a urinary tract infection (UTI)? A. High-purine diet B. Sedentary lifestyle C. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) D. Recent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics
C. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) BPH causes urinary stasis, which is a predisposing factor for UTIs. A sedentary lifestyle and recent antibiotic use are unlikely to contribute to UTIs, whereas a diet high in purines is associated with renal calculi.
4. The health care provider prescribes finasteride (Proscar) for a 56-year-old male patient who has a BPH symptom score of 12 on the AUA Symptom Index. When teaching the patient about the drug, the nurse informs him that a. his interest in sexual activity may decrease while he is taking the medication. b. he should change position from lying to standing slowly to avoid dizziness. c. improvement in the obstructive symptoms should occur within about 2 weeks. d. he will need to monitor his blood pressure frequently to assess for hypertension.
Answer: A Rationale: A decrease in libido is a side effect of finasteride because of the androgen suppression that occurs with the drug. Orthostatic hypotension is a side effect of the α-blocking agents. Improvement in symptoms of obstruction takes 3 to 6 months. The medication does not cause hypertension. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1417 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
2. A patient scheduled for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for BPH tells the nurse that he has delayed having surgery because he is afraid it will affect his sexual function. When responding to his concern, the nurse explains that a. with this type of surgery, erectile problems are rare, but retrograde ejaculation may occur. b. information about penile implants used for ED is available if he is interested. c. there are many methods of sexual expression that can be alternatives to sexual intercourse. d. sterility will not be a problem after surgery because sperm production will not be affected.
Answer: A Rationale: Erectile problems are rare, but retrograde ejaculation may occur after TURP. Erectile function is not usually affected by a TURP, so the patient will not need information about penile implants or reassurance that other forms of sexual expression may be used. Because the patient has not asked about fertility, reassurance about sperm production does not address his concerns. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1418 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
11. Following a radical retropubic prostatectomy for prostate cancer, the patient is incontinent of urine. An appropriate nursing intervention for this patient is to teach the patient a. pelvic floor muscle training. b. the use of belladonna and opium suppositories. c. how to perform intermittent self-catheterization. d. to restrict oral fluid intake.
Answer: A Rationale: Pelvic floor muscle training (Kegel) exercises are recommended to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve urinary control. Belladonna and opium suppositories are used to reduce bladder spasms after surgery. Intermittent self-catheterization may be taught before surgery if the patient has urinary retention, but it will not be useful in reducing incontinence after surgery. The patient should have a daily oral intake of 2 to 3 L. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1428 Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
8. A patient with symptomatic BPH is scheduled for visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) at an outpatient surgical center. The nurse will plan to teach the patient a. how to care for an indwelling urinary catheter. b. that the urine will appear bloody for several days. c. to expect an immediate improvement in urinary force. d. that an intraprostatic urethral stent will be placed.
Answer: A Rationale: The patient will have indwelling catheter for up to a week and will need to be instructed on catheter care to avoid problems such as infection. There is minimal bleeding with this procedure. It will take several weeks before the full benefits of the procedure take effect. Stent placement is not included in the procedure. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1420-1422 Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
24. A patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with mild obstruction tells the nurse, "My symptoms have gotten a lot worse this week." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? a. "The prostate gland normally changes slightly in size from day to day, and this may be making your symptoms worse." b. "Have you been taking any over-the-counter (OTC) medications recently?" c. "Have you talked to the doctor about surgical procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate?" d. "I will talk to the doctor about ordering a prostate specific antigen test."
Answer: B Rationale: Because the patient's increase in symptoms has occurred abruptly, the nurse should ask about OTC medications that might cause contraction of the smooth muscle in the prostate and worsen obstruction. The prostate gland does not vary in size from day to day. A TURP may be needed, but more assessment about possible reasons for the sudden symptom change is a more appropriate first response by the nurse. PSA testing is done to differentiate BPH from prostatic cancer and is not indicated in this patient, who has already been diagnosed with BPH. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1421 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
12. Following discharge teaching for a patient who has had a transurethral prostatectomy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the nurse determines that additional instruction is needed when the patient says, a. "I will increase fiber and fluids in my diet to prevent constipation." b. "I should call the doctor if I have any incontinence at home." c. "I will avoid heavy lifting or driving until I get approval from my health care provider." d. "I should continue to schedule yearly appointments for prostate exams."
Answer: B Rationale: Incontinence is common for several weeks after a TURP. The other patient statements indicate that the patient has a good understanding of post-TURP instructions. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1422 Nursing Process: Evaluation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
27. A patient with acute urinary retention associated with BPH is admitted to the emergency department. The patient has had no urine output for 16 hours, and the laboratory work shows a blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level of 50 mg/dl and a creatinine of 3.0 mg/dl. The nurse will anticipate a health care provider order to a. schedule the patient for inpatient hemodialysis. b. insert a retention catheter. c. start an IV line for fluid administration. d. administer furosemide (Lasix).
Answer: B Rationale: The patient data indicate that the patient may have hydronephrosis and acute renal failure caused by the BPH; the initial therapy will be to insert a catheter. Hemodialysis may be needed if the elevation in BUN and creatinine persists, but it will not be ordered initially. Fluid administration and furosemide administration will increase the bladder distension. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1415 Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
7. The wife of a patient who has undergone a TURP and has continuous bladder irrigation asks the nurse about the purpose of the continuous bladder irrigation. Which response by the nurse is appropriate? a. "The bladder irrigation is needed to stop the postoperative bleeding in the bladder." b. "The irrigation is needed to keep the catheter from being occluded by blood clots." c. "Normal production of urine is maintained with the irrigations until healing occurs." d. "Antibiotics are being administered into the bladder with the irrigation solution."
Answer: B Rationale: The purpose of bladder irrigation is to remove clots from the bladder and to prevent obstruction of the catheter by clots. The irrigation does not decrease bleeding or maintain urine production. Antibiotics are given by the IV route, not through the bladder irrigation. Cognitive Level: Comprehension Text Reference: pp. 1420-1421 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
3. A 41-year-old man asks the nurse what he can do to decrease the risk of BPH. The nurse explains that a. riding a bicycle raises prostate specific antigen levels and may increase BPH risk. b. prevention is not possible because prostatic enlargement occurs with normal aging. c. decreasing butter and margarine and increasing fruits in the diet may help. d. taking a daily vitamin E supplement has reduced prostate size in some men.
Answer: C Rationale: A diet high in saturated fats, found in foods like butter, is associated with an increased risk for BPH. Individuals who eat more fruits and vegetables may be at lower risk. Riding a bicycle does increase prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, but this is not associated with development of BPH. Dietary changes and increased exercise do appear to help prevent BPH. Vitamin E supplements do not decrease prostate size. Cognitive Level: Comprehension Text Reference: p. 1415 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
5. A patient with irritative and obstructive bladder symptoms has an enlarged prostate on digital rectal examination (DRE) and an elevated PSA level. The nurse will anticipate that the patient will need teaching about a. uroflometry studies. b. cystourethroscopy. c. transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). d. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Answer: C Rationale: In a patient with an abnormal DRE and elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound is used to help differentiate BPH from prostatic cancer. Uroflowmetry studies will help determine the extent of urine blockage and treatment, but a differential diagnosis will be obtained first. Cystourethroscopy may be used after TRUS if the diagnosis is still uncertain. MRI is used to determine whether prostatic cancer has metastasized but would not be ordered at this stage of the diagnostic process. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1416 Nursing Process: Planning NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
1. To determine the severity of the symptoms for a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), the nurse will ask the patient about a. the presence of blood in the urine. b. any erectile dysfunction (ED). c. occurrence of a weak urinary stream. d. lower back and hip pain.
Answer: C Rationale: The American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index for a patient with BPH asks questions about the force and frequency of urination, nocturia, etc. Blood in the urine, ED, and back or hip pain are not typical symptoms with BPH. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: pp. 1415-1416 Nursing Process: Assessment NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
9. The health care provider orders a blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA) when an enlarged prostate is palpated during a routine examination of a 56-year-old man. When the patient asks the nurse the purpose of the test, the nurse's response is based on the knowledge that a. elevated levels of PSA are indicative of metastatic cancer of the prostate. b. PSA testing is the "gold standard" for making a diagnosis of prostate cancer. c. baseline PSA levels are necessary to determine whether treatment is effective. d. PSA levels are usually elevated in patients with cancer of the prostate.
Answer: D Rationale: PSA levels are usually elevated above the normal in patients with prostate cancer. PSA testing does not determine whether metastasis has occurred. A biopsy of the prostate is needed for a definitive diagnosis of prostate cancer. Success of treatment is determined by a fall in PSA to an undetectable level; the patient's baseline PSA is not needed to determine the success of treatment. Cognitive Level: Application Text Reference: p. 1423 Nursing Process: Implementation NCLEX: Physiological Integrity
