A nurse is caring for a client who has benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
A Painful urination
B Decreased urinary stream
C Critically elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level
D Urge incontinence
The correct answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. Decreased urinary stream.
Explanation:
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition in older men where the prostate gland enlarges, potentially causing various urinary symptoms. Among the typical findings associated with BPH, a decreased urinary stream is a hallmark symptom.
Here’s a breakdown of why B is the correct answer and why the other options are less likely:
- Decreased Urinary Stream (B): As the prostate enlarges, it can compress the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body. This compression narrows the urethra, resulting in a decreased urinary stream. The patient may notice that their urine flow is weaker and more intermittent compared to before. This is a classic sign of BPH and is commonly observed in affected individuals.
- Painful Urination (A): Painful urination is more characteristic of conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs) or prostatitis rather than BPH. BPH primarily causes obstructive symptoms rather than painful urination.
- Critically Elevated Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Level (C): While PSA levels can be elevated in the presence of BPH, they are not typically “critically elevated.” Elevated PSA levels can be associated with prostate cancer, prostatitis, or BPH. However, BPH usually causes a mild to moderate increase in PSA, not a critically high level. Therefore, this finding is not specific enough to diagnose BPH.
- Urge Incontinence (D): Urge incontinence involves a sudden and intense urge to urinate, often leading to involuntary leakage. It is more commonly associated with bladder conditions or neurological issues rather than BPH. BPH primarily leads to obstructive urinary symptoms rather than urge incontinence.
In summary, a decreased urinary stream is a direct result of the obstruction caused by an enlarged prostate in BPH and is the most expected finding among the given options.