Which of the following best describes a typical cause and consequence of obstructive uropathy in males?

Which of the following best describes a typical cause and consequence of obstructive uropathy in males?

• A. Kidney stones
• B. Ureteral obstruction
• C. Prostatic obstruction causing inability to void and increased BUN/creatinine
• D. Bladder diverticulum

Answer: (C)

Obstructive uropathy arises when urine outflow is blocked, causing rising pressure upstream and potential kidney injury. In males, the most common cause is bladder outlet obstruction from an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This leads to urinary retention and an inability to void. The blocked drainage creates back-pressure that can produce post-renal azotemia, visible as increased BUN and creatinine, and, if the obstruction persists, hydronephrosis with progressive renal impairment. While stones or ureteral obstruction can cause obstruction, they do not typically present as the classic cause of obstructive uropathy linked to voiding difficulty in males. A bladder diverticulum can cause stasis but is not the typical scenario for this pattern of obstruction and renal function change.

Obstructive uropathy arises when urine outflow is blocked, causing rising pressure upstream and potential kidney injury. In males, the most common cause is bladder outlet obstruction from an enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This leads to urinary retention and an inability to void. The blocked drainage creates back-pressure that can produce post-renal azotemia, visible as increased BUN and creatinine, and, if the obstruction persists, hydronephrosis with progressive renal impairment. While stones or ureteral obstruction can cause obstruction, they do not typically present as the classic cause of obstructive uropathy linked to voiding difficulty in males. A bladder diverticulum can cause stasis but is not the typical scenario for this pattern of obstruction and renal function change.