When treating a patient with BPH who complains of increased frequency and urgency with an alpha-adrenergic blocking agent, the patient should be warned of which possible side effect?

• A. Hypertensive crisis
• B. Postural hypotension
• C. Development of prostate cancer
• D. Development of testicular cancer

Answer: (B)

Alpha-adrenergic blockers used for BPH can cause orthostatic hypotension because they relax vascular smooth muscle, leading to a drop in blood pressure when moving to an upright position. This is most noticeable with the first dose and can be worsened by other blood pressure–lowering medicines or dehydration. So patients should be warned about dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting when standing, and practical steps like taking the first dose at night, rising slowly, and avoiding alcohol. The other options don’t fit the effect of this drug class: it doesn’t cause a hypertensive crisis, and there’s no direct link to prostate or testicular cancer.