A nurse is caring for a client who has benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Which of the following finding should the nurse expect?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Difficulty starting the flow of urine: BPH causes enlargement of the prostate gland, which can compress the urethra and obstruct urine flow. This leads to hesitancy, weak stream, and difficulty initiating urination, which are hallmark findings in BPH. B. Urge incontinence: While BPH can cause "urgency" (a sudden need to go), urge incontinence (leaking before reaching the toilet) is more commonly associated with an overactive bladder or infection. BPH is more likely to cause overflow incontinence, where the bladder becomes so full it simply "drips" out because it cannot empty properly. C. Critically elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level: While PSA levels can be slightly elevated in BPH because there is more prostate tissue, a critically elevated level is usually a red flag for prostate cancer or severe prostatitis, not simple benign enlargement. D. Painful urination: Painful urination (dysuria) is typically a sign of an infection (UTI) or inflammation. BPH symptoms are generally related to the mechanics of flow (weak stream, dribbling, and hesitancy) rather than pain.