A client with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia is unable to void. Which medication should the nurse inquire about?

Inquiring about decongestants is crucial in a client with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who is unable to void because many decongestants contain active ingredients such as pseudoephedrine, which can cause or exacerbate urinary retention. These medications work by constricting blood vessels to reduce nasal congestion, but they also have alpha-adrenergic properties that can lead to increased smooth muscle tone in the prostate and bladder neck, complicating urinary outflow.

Clients with BPH already have a predisposed risk for urinary retention due to prostate enlargement, and using decongestants can significantly worsen this condition. Hence, it's vital for the nurse to evaluate the client’s medication history and identify any included decongestants that may be contributing to the inability to void.

The other medication options do not primarily influence urinary retention in the same way. Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic typically used to treat urinary tract infections and would not directly cause urinary retention. Antibiotics are generally not linked to urinary obstruction. Diuretics increase urine production but do not typically affect the ability to void in the context of BPH; in fact, they may help relieve fluid retention but can cause increased urination.