A 45-year-old client says to the nurse, "I'm really worried about occasional impotence." The most appropriate response by the nurse would be
A) "Do you feel you should see a sex therapist?"
B) "Impotence is usually caused by psychogenic causes."
C) "This is not unusual after age 40."
D) "You should see your doctor to determine if the cause is physical."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

There are multiple medical problems and medications that can cause erectile dysfunction (ED), so the client should be encouraged to seek medical attention to rule out or treat serious physiologic causes, such as hypertension and diabetes. A sex therapist would not be a first-line referral before a medical evaluation. Many older men continue to enjoy satisfactory erections and sex lives. Although psychogenic causes can lead to ED, again the client should seek medical attention. The nurse, while he/she may need to explain to the client that psychogenic causes may be a problem, should not do so in a way that makes the man feel like it is "all in his head."

A 45-Year-Old Client Says to the Nurse, "I'm Really Worried