A 58-year-old man with erectile dysfunction (ED) tells the nurse he is interested in using sildenafil (Viagra). Which action should the nurse take first?
a. Assure the patient that ED is common with aging.
b. Ask the patient about any prescription drugs he is taking.
c. Tell the patient that Viagra does not always work for ED.
d. Discuss the common adverse effects of erectogenic drugs.
ANS: B
Because some medications can cause ED and patients using nitrates should not take sildenafil, the nurse should first assess for prescription drug use. The nurse may want to teach the patient about realistic expectations and adverse effects of sildenafil therapy, but this should not be the first action. Although ED does increase with aging, it may be secondary to medication use or cardiovascular disease.
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