Patient With Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
JK is a 63-year-old male who presents with complaints of difficulty starting his urine stream and that he has to get up to urinate at night at least three times. He states there are times when he does not think he will be able to go.
Past Medical History
- Controlled hypertension
- Hypercholesteremia
- Type 2 diabetes controlled by diet
Medications
- Zestril, 5 mg once daily
- Simvastatin, 40 mg
- Niacin, 1,000 mg
- Baby aspirin, daily
Social History
- A six-pack of beer on weekends
- Nonsmoker
- Active in Lions club
Physical Examination
- Well-developed male
- Chest: clear to auscultation
- Heart: regular rhythm; no gallops, thrills, or murmurs
- Digital rectal exam: enlarged prostate
Labs and Imaging
- Liver enzymes: normal
- Prostate specific antigen (PSA): 2.5 ng/mL
- Hemoglobin A1C: 6.9
- Office-based ultrasound: prostate enlargement approximately 41 cm3
- Postvoid residual urine volume: 300 mL
Discussion Questions
1. The clinician prescribes dutasteride. What patient teaching should be included?
2. In addition to taking the prescribed medication, the clinician suggests JK keep a voiding diary. What information should JK track in this diary, and what value does this information provide?
3. JK fails to respond to the initial therapy. What second drug should the clinician add? What is the method of action of this drug and what advantage does this drug provide? What patient teaching should be included?
