A 53-year-old man tells the nurse he has been having increasing problems with erectile dysfunction ( ED ) for several years but is now interested in using Viagra ( sildenafil ). Which action should the nurse take first?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Because some medications can cause ED and patients using nitrates should not take Viagra, the nurse should first assess for prescription drug use. The nurse may want to teach the patient about realistic expectations and adverse effects of Viagra therapy, but this should not be the first action. Although ED does increase with aging, it may be secondary to medication use or cardiovascular disease in a 53-year-old.

A 53-Year-Old Man Tells the Nurse He Has Been Having