Question

While counseling a 61-year-old patient with overactive bladder about the adverse effects of oxybutynin (Ditropan®) the nurse practitioner advises that all of the following can occur except:

a) Sedation.
b) Dry mouth.
c) Pruritus.
d) Urinary retention.

Answer 1

Urinary retention is not a typical side effect of oxybutynin (Ditropan®), which is used to treat overactive bladder by relaxing the bladder muscle. Possible side effects include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness, but not urinary retention.

Step-by-step explanation:

While counseling a 61-year-old patient with overactive bladder about the adverse effects of oxybutynin (Ditropan®), it is important to clarify that Urinary retention is not a side effect of this medication. Oxybutynin is an anticholinergic drug used to treat overactive bladder and its associated symptoms such as urgency, frequency, and urgency incontinence. The medication works by relaxing the bladder muscle, which can help to decrease the frequency of bladder contractions. Rather than causing urinary retention, oxybutynin might actually help reduce the risk of overflow incontinence due to uncontrolled detrusor muscle contractions.

The side effects of oxybutynin can include dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision, drowsiness, and dizziness. These symptoms are due to the anticholinergic properties of the medication. While oxybutynin may cause these side effects, it is less likely to cause urinary retention, particularly in patients who already have symptoms of an overactive bladder.