An older adult male client tells the nurse of losing sleep because of having to get up several times at night to go to the bathroom. The client also reports having trouble starting his urinary stream, and he does not feel like his bladder is ever completely empty. Which intervention should the nurse implement?

Choice A reason: Palpating the bladder above the symphysis pubis helps determine if the bladder is distended, which would indicate urinary retention. The client’s symptoms—nocturia, hesitancy, and incomplete emptying—are consistent with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can cause bladder outlet obstruction and retention. This assessment provides immediate, relevant information about the client’s condition. Choice B reason: Reviewing fluid intake prior to bedtime may help reduce nocturia, but it does not address the underlying problem of incomplete bladder emptying. This intervention is supportive but not the priority. Choice C reason: Collecting a urine specimen for culture analysis would be appropriate if infection were suspected. However, the client’s symptoms are more consistent with obstruction rather than infection. This intervention does not directly address the primary issue. Choice D reason: Obtaining a fingerstick blood glucose level may be indicated if diabetes mellitus is suspected as a cause of polyuria. However, the client’s symptoms—hesitancy, weak stream, and incomplete emptying—are more consistent with BPH than diabetes. This intervention is not the most appropriate in this scenario.