Which of the following might be an initial screening step for a patient presenting with blood in semen?

When a patient presents with blood in the semen, also known as hematospermia, it’s important to consider the various causes that could be contributing to this symptom. An initial screening step that is relevant in this scenario is assessing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A urine probe for STIs can help identify infections that potentially lead to inflammation or irritation of the reproductive tract, which could manifest as blood in semen.

This step is crucial because STIs can have significant implications for treatment and management. Identifying an STI early can allow for appropriate interventions to not only alleviate the current symptoms but also prevent further complications.

In contrast, while the other options might be valuable in different contexts, they don’t specifically target the common causes associated with hematospermia. A pelvic examination might not be the first step in male patients; a urine analysis could yield useful information about the urinary system but may not directly address the semen-related issue; and a digital rectal examination, while useful for prostate evaluation, does not specifically assess for STIs and may not be relevant early on in diagnosing the source of blood in semen. Thus, starting with a urine probe for STIs makes the most sense as an initial screening step.