BPH: NCLEX Questions TEST 2
Questions With Solved Solutions.
1. To determine the severity of the symptoms for a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) the
nurse will ask the patient about
a. blood in the urine.
b. lower back or hip pain.
c. erectile dysfunction (ED).
d. strength of the urinary stream. - Answer ANS: D
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 of BPH.
2. A patient who has been recently diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tells the nurse
that he does not want to have a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) because he is afraid it
might affect his ability to have intercourse. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Offer reassurance that sperm production is not affected by TURP.
b. Discuss alternative methods of sexual expression besides intercourse.
c. Provide education about the use of medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) occurring after TURP.
d. Teach that ED is not a common complication following a TURP. - Answer ANS: D
ED is not a concern with TURP, although retrograde ejaculation is likely and the nurse should discuss this
with the patient. 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.
3. The health care provider prescribes finasteride (Proscar) for a 56-year-old patient who has benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). When teaching the patient about the drug, the nurse informs him that
a. he should change position from lying to standing slowly to avoid dizziness.
b. his interest in sexual activity may decrease while he is taking the medication.
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 ANS: B
, A decrease in libido is a side effect of finasteride because of the androgen suppression that occurs with
the drug. Although orthostatic hypotension may occur if the patient also is taking a medication for
erectile dysfunction (ED), it should not occur with finasteride alone. Improvement in symptoms of
obstruction takes about 6 months. The medication does not cause hypertension.
4. A patient has an enlarged prostate detected by digital rectal examination (DRE) and an elevated
prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. The nurse will anticipate that the patient will need teaching about
a. cystourethroscopy.
b. uroflowmetry studies.
c. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
d. transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). - Answer ANS: D
In a patient with an abnormal DRE and elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound is used to visualize the
prostate for biopsy. Uroflowmetry studies help determine the extent of urine blockage and treatment,
but there is no indication that this is a problem for this patient. Cystoscopy may be used before
prostatectomy but will not be done until after the TRUS and biopsy. MRI is used to determine whether
prostatic cancer has metastasized but would not be ordered at this stage of the diagnostic process.
5. When teaching a patient who is scheduled for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) about
continuous bladder irrigation, which information will the nurse include?
a. Bladder irrigation decreases the risk of postoperative bleeding.
b. Hydration and urine output are maintained by bladder irrigation.
c. Bladder irrigation prevents obstruction of the catheter after surgery.
d. Antibiotics are infused on a continuous basis with bladder irrigation. - Answer ANS: C
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 improve hydration. Antibiotics are given
by the IV route, not through the bladder irrigation.
6. A patient with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is scheduled for photovaporization of
the prostate (PVP) 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. about complications associated with urethral stenting.
d. that symptom improvement will occur in 2 to 3 weeks. - Answer ANS: A
Questions With Solved Solutions.
1. To determine the severity of the symptoms for a patient with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) the
nurse will ask the patient about
a. blood in the urine.
b. lower back or hip pain.
c. erectile dysfunction (ED).
d. strength of the urinary stream. - Answer ANS: D
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 of BPH.
2. A patient who has been recently diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) tells the nurse
that he does not want to have a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) because he is afraid it
might affect his ability to have intercourse. Which action should the nurse take?
a. Offer reassurance that sperm production is not affected by TURP.
b. Discuss alternative methods of sexual expression besides intercourse.
c. Provide education about the use of medications for erectile dysfunction (ED) occurring after TURP.
d. Teach that ED is not a common complication following a TURP. - Answer ANS: D
ED is not a concern with TURP, although retrograde ejaculation is likely and the nurse should discuss this
with the patient. 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.
3. The health care provider prescribes finasteride (Proscar) for a 56-year-old patient who has benign
prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). When teaching the patient about the drug, the nurse informs him that
a. he should change position from lying to standing slowly to avoid dizziness.
b. his interest in sexual activity may decrease while he is taking the medication.
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 ANS: B
, A decrease in libido is a side effect of finasteride because of the androgen suppression that occurs with
the drug. Although orthostatic hypotension may occur if the patient also is taking a medication for
erectile dysfunction (ED), it should not occur with finasteride alone. Improvement in symptoms of
obstruction takes about 6 months. The medication does not cause hypertension.
4. A patient has an enlarged prostate detected by digital rectal examination (DRE) and an elevated
prostate specific antigen (PSA) level. The nurse will anticipate that the patient will need teaching about
a. cystourethroscopy.
b. uroflowmetry studies.
c. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
d. transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS). - Answer ANS: D
In a patient with an abnormal DRE and elevated PSA, transrectal ultrasound is used to visualize the
prostate for biopsy. Uroflowmetry studies help determine the extent of urine blockage and treatment,
but there is no indication that this is a problem for this patient. Cystoscopy may be used before
prostatectomy but will not be done until after the TRUS and biopsy. MRI is used to determine whether
prostatic cancer has metastasized but would not be ordered at this stage of the diagnostic process.
5. When teaching a patient who is scheduled for a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) about
continuous bladder irrigation, which information will the nurse include?
a. Bladder irrigation decreases the risk of postoperative bleeding.
b. Hydration and urine output are maintained by bladder irrigation.
c. Bladder irrigation prevents obstruction of the catheter after surgery.
d. Antibiotics are infused on a continuous basis with bladder irrigation. - Answer ANS: C
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 improve hydration. Antibiotics are given
by the IV route, not through the bladder irrigation.
6. A patient with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is scheduled for photovaporization of
the prostate (PVP) 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. about complications associated with urethral stenting.
d. that symptom improvement will occur in 2 to 3 weeks. - Answer ANS: A
