Final answer:
When assessing a patient with erectile dysfunction, a nurse would primarily focus on the nervous system, circulatory system, endocrine system, and male reproductive system to identify potential causes of the condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
When assessing a patient with erectile dysfunction (ED), a nurse would focus on several body systems, given that ED can have multiple causes. The primary systems of interest include:
- The nervous system, since it controls the vascular mechanisms necessary for achieving an erection.
- The circulatory system, as blood flow to the penile tissue is critical for an erection and vascular disease can impair this.
- The endocrine system, particularly the hormones like testosterone, which is fundamental in regulating the sex drive and maintaining the sex organs.
- The male reproductive system, since issues like prostate disorders or problems with the testes can affect sexual function.
Other systems might be relevant depending on the patient's overall health and potential contributing factors, such as medications that may impact sexual function or conditions like diabetes that can affect multiple systems.