Case Study: Urinary System

History:

Mr. P is 77 yrs old and is having urinary problems. He urinates more frequently than he did when he was younger, but he still can't seem to fully empty his bladder. He has to get up several times at night to use the bathroom and it is exhausting him!

Physical exam: consider what exam would be helpful in determining his diagnosis

Labs: urinalysis is normal

Assessment: Urinary obstruction due to __?

Instructions

Answer the following questions based on the scenario and article above and save your responses in a Microsoft Word document. Provide a scholarly resource in APA format to support your answers.

  1. Trace the flow of urine from the collecting duct to the urethral meatus.
  2. Based on your knowledge of the male urinary tract, what normal organ is most likely obstructing the urinary outflow?
  3. Based on the anatomic location of this structure, how can this structure be examined?
  4. Based on your knowledge of anatomical differences, why are women more likely than men to get urinary tract infections?
  5. Predict the consequences of the inability to empty the bladder.

Full Answer Section

  The normal organs that can obstruct the urinary outflow in the male are:
  • Prostate gland: The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra at the base of the bladder. The prostate gland can enlarge as a man gets older, and this enlargement can sometimes obstruct the urethra.
  • Bladder neck: The bladder neck is the narrowest part of the urethra. The bladder neck can sometimes spasm, which can obstruct the flow of urine.
  • Urethra: The urethra can be obstructed by a number of things, including a stricture (narrowing), a stone, or a tumor.
The most likely normal organ to obstruct the urinary outflow in the male is the prostate gland. This is because the prostate gland enlarges as a man gets older, and this enlargement can sometimes obstruct the urethra. The bladder neck can also spasm, which can obstruct the flow of urine. However, this is less common than prostate enlargement. If you are experiencing difficulty urinating, it is i

Sample Answer

 
  • Collecting duct: The collecting duct is a small tube that carries urine from the nephron to the renal pelvis.
  • Renal pelvis: The renal pelvis is a funnel-shaped chamber that collects urine from the collecting ducts.
  • Ureter: The ureter is a long, narrow tube that carries urine from the renal pelvis to the bladder.
  • Bladder: The bladder is a muscular sac that stores urine.
  • Urethra: The urethra is a short, narrow tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
  • Urethral meatus: The urethral meatus is the opening of the urethra at the tip of the penis.