A nurse is caring for a client who has prostate cancer and had a prostatectomy. Which of the following should the nurse understand is a potential complication of prostate surgery?

The clinical scenario involves identifying post-surgical complications following a prostatectomy. Knowledge of the anatomical proximity of the cavernous nerves to the prostate gland is necessary to understand how surgical resection or inflammation affects reproductive function and urinary continence in men. Choice A rationale . Prostatectomy often involves the removal of tissue near the cavernous nerves, which regulate blood flow to the penis. Damage to these nerves or vascular structures significantly impairs the ability to achieve or maintain an erection postoperatively. Choice B rationale . Paralytic ileus is a potential complication of any abdominal surgery due to bowel manipulation, but it is not specific to the prostate. It involves a temporary cessation of peristalsis, whereas reproductive dysfunction is a direct surgical risk. Choice C rationale . Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder, typically caused by infection. While catheterization post-surgery increases infection risk, it is not considered a primary structural complication of the prostatectomy procedure itself like nerve damage or permanent dysfunction. Choice D rationale . Testicular torsion involves the twisting of the spermatic cord and is an acute urological emergency. It is unrelated to the surgical removal of the prostate gland, which is located superior to the scrotum within the pelvic cavity.