Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test 2025 - Free Emergency Medicine Practice Questions and Study Guide

A typical symptom of a 69-year-old man with urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate is decreased urinary flow. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is a common condition in older men, often leads to the obstruction of the bladder outlet due to the enlarged tissue. As a result, patients may notice a reduction in the force and caliber of their urinary stream. This reduced flow is typically accompanied by other urinary symptoms such as difficulty initiating urination or a sensation of incomplete bladder emptying.

The other symptoms mentioned, while they may occur in some patients, don't capture the hallmark effect of an enlarged prostate as clearly. Frequent urination during the day can occur but is often coupled with nighttime urination (nocturia), making it less specific. Inability to complete the urinary stream may be a factor but doesn't directly reflect the broader impact of flow reduction. Consistent mild abdominal pain is not typically associated with BPH and would more likely indicate another underlying issue not directly related to prostatic enlargement. Hence, decreased urinary flow stands out as a primary and defining symptom of urinary issues related to an enlarged prostate.