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