Genitourinary System Drugs Notes

Learning Objectives

  • Describe major classes of drugs used to treat diseases/illnesses of the genitourinary system
  • Describe the main nursing considerations related to these groups of drugs

Major Classes of Genitourinary Drugs

  • Diuretics:
    • Used to treat conditions like hypertension (HTN), heart failure (HF), and fluid retention (FLD RETENTION).
  • Antibiotics:
    • Used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs).
  • Alpha-Blockers:
    • Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors:
    • Used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • Phosphodiesterase Type 5 (PDE5) Inhibitors:
    • Used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Fluid Retention

  • Problem:
    • Kidney disease (acute renal failure (ARF) or chronic renal failure (CRF)) where kidneys are damaged and lose their ability to filter waste and remove excess fluids.
    • Heart failure (HF) causing poor circulation to the kidneys, leading to fluid and salt retention.
  • Treatment:
    • Diuretics promote the excretion of sodium and water from the kidneys.
    • Diuretics: strong, mild, and weak.

Diuretics

  • Loop diuretics
    • location: Loop of Henle
  • Thiazides
    • location: Distal Tubule
  • Potassium Sparing
    • location: Collecting duct

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

  • Problem:
    • Infection of the urinary system due to multiple causes such as poor pericare, holding urine, sexual intercourse, tumors, or enlarged prostate.
  • Treatment:
    • Antibiotics

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) Part 1

  • Problem:
    • Difficulty with urination due to constriction of muscles of the prostate.
  • Treatment:
    • Alpha Blockers: Relax the smooth muscle of the prostate and bladder neck to improve urine flow.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) Part 2

  • Problem:
    • Enlarged Prostate
  • Treatment:
    • 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: Shrink the prostate gland.

Erectile Dysfunction

  • Problem:
    • Problem with blood flow to the penis.
  • Treatment:
    • Enhance blood flow to the affected area.

Activities

  • What drug classification is this and what would it be prescribed for?
    • A) Antibiotic-treatment of UTI
    • B) Diuretic-treatment of fluid retention
    • C) 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor-treatment of BPH
    • D) Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor –treatment of erectile dysfunction
  • What type of drug classification is this?
    • A) Alpha-Blocker: treats BPH to improve urine flow
    • B) Diuretic: treats fluid retention
    • C) 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitor: treats BPH by shrinking the prostate
    • D) Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitor: treats erectile dysfunction
  • Which diuretic works by blocking sodium, chloride, and potassium reabsorption in the Loop of Henle?
    • A) Hydrochlorothiazide
    • B) Spironolactone
    • C) Furosemide
    • D) None of the Above
  • Which of the following diuretics is considered a “potassium sparing” diuretic?
    • A) Furosemide
    • B) Hydrochlorothiazide
    • C) Spironolactone
    • D) Both A and B