When assessing a client for BPH, which is an obstructive symptom?

Diminished urine stream force is classified as an obstructive symptom of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). This condition commonly occurs in older men, where an enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, making it difficult for urine to flow freely. The reduction in the force of the urine stream is a direct result of this obstruction, as the muscle must work harder to push urine through the narrowed passageway.

In contrast, urinary urgency, nocturia, and dysuria are considered irritative symptoms. Urinary urgency refers to a sudden, strong need to urinate, nocturia involves waking up at night to urinate, and dysuria describes pain or discomfort during urination. These symptoms are typically associated with urinary tract irritability rather than obstruction within the urinary tract itself, which is why they do not represent obstructive symptoms like diminished urine stream force does.