Question

A 73-year-old male with Parkinson's disease comes to the clinic for routine care. The man has a comorbidity of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An anticholinergic drug is prescribed for the patient. What is the priority teaching point the nurse must give to this patient in regard to his medication?

Select one:
a. Avoid cold weather.
b. Avoid driving his car while taking the drug.
c. Call his doctor if he cannot urinate.
d. Take the drug with food to avoid gastrointestinal (GI) upset.

Answer 1

The nurse must teach the patient to call his doctor if he cannot urinate.

Step-by-step explanation:

The priority teaching point the nurse must give to this patient in regard to his medication is to call his doctor if he cannot urinate. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition that can cause urinary retention in males. The anticholinergic drug prescribed to the patient may exacerbate this condition. Therefore, it is important for the patient to seek medical attention if he is unable to urinate.