BPH Exam NCLEX QUESTIONS And
Already Passed Answers.
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 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
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
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
, 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 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
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 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
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
Already Passed Answers.
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 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
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
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
, 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 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
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 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
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
