Biology Forums - Study Force

A nurse is providing patient education to a 52-year-old man who has returned for a follow-up visit 3 weeks after starting an alpha antagonist for hypertension. The patient is upset because the medication has caused problems with ejaculation.
 
  The nurse's best response would be which of the following statements?
  a. The problem will be resolved when the drug is discontinued. We can talk to the doctor about a different medication.
  b. The ejaculatory problem is probably a result of your hypertension, and this is likely to be permanent.
  c. The ejaculatory problem is not as significant as your uncontrolled hypertension. Perhaps you should consider counseling.
  d. You should stay on the medication for 12 months before changing, regardless of the side effects.

ANS: A
Ejaculatory problems are a side effect of alpha antagonists used for hypertension. If the patient expresses concern about this side effect, he should be instructed to discuss it with his prescriber, as well as alternative medications that might be available to treat his hypertension. Telling a patient that a problem will be resolved once the drug is discontinued disregards the immediacy of the patient's concern.
Erectile dysfunction may be due to the hypertension secondary to vasoconstriction of the blood vessels. This should be discussed with the prescriber.
The nurse should not belittle the patient's concerns by recommending counseling. These concerns are real, and the patient should be told that he should discuss them with the prescriber, because alternative medications may be available that can be used to treat his hypertension.
Ignoring the patient's concerns about the side effects of a medication is irresponsible of the nurse. The nurse should recommend that the patient discuss his concerns with the prescriber, as well as alternative medications to treat his hypertension.