Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) DRT Practice Test

The symptom relief seen with an enlarged prostate (BPH) is most commonly sought with saw palmetto. This is a standardized extract from the fruit of Serenoa repens and contains fatty acids and phytosterols that are thought to modulate prostate biology, including potential inhibition of 5-alpha-reductase and anti-inflammatory effects. In practice, many men report modest improvements in urinary symptoms such as frequency, nocturia, urgency, and flow, though study results are variable and the effect size is generally smaller than prescription therapies. Saw palmetto is usually well tolerated, with mild gastrointestinal upset or headaches being the most common side effects; be mindful of possible interactions with anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications and with other systemic drugs, and ensure use of a standardized product for consistent dosing. Other herbs listed have different primary uses (for example, mood or immune support) and are not established to improve BPH symptoms, which is why saw palmetto remains the herb most frequently used for this purpose.