A 73-year-old male with Parkinson's disease comes to the clinic for routine care. The man has a comorbidity of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). An anticholinergic drug is prescribed for the patient
What is the priority teaching point the nurse must give to the patient in regard to his medication? A) "Avoid excessively hot environments."
B) "Avoid driving his car while taking the drug."
C) "Call his doctor if he cannot urinate."
D) "Take the drug with food to avoid gastrointestinal (GI) upset."
C
Feedback:
Due to the patient's diagnosis and drug therapy, calling the doctor if he cannot urinate would be the most important instruction. Older men with BPH have difficulty urinating and if an anticholinergic drug is taken, this can lead to urinary retention and bladder sphincter spasm. The patient should be encouraged to empty his bladder before taking the drug. Because this is an anticholinergic drug, avoiding hot environmental temperatures (reduced ability to perspire) and driving or operating machinery (possible central nervous system effects) should also be encouraged as well as taking the medication with food to help with GI upsets. However, the highest priority is addressing urinary retention issues.
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