Final answer:
The best method for assessing bladder distention is to check for a rounded swelling above the pubis, commonly seen in patients with an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which can impede proper bladder emptying.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best method for a nurse to assess for bladder distention in a 74 year-old male with an inability to void due to an enlarged prostate is to assess for rounded swelling above the pubis. If the bladder is significantly distended, the nurse may be able to palpate the bladder rising above the pubic bone in the lower abdomen, which can appear as a smooth, rounded swelling. Prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) can lead to difficulties in voiding and bladder emptying, making the assessment of bladder distention a key diagnostic step in older male patients.