SEXUALITY TO ASSESS OR NOT TO ASSESS

Nursing Students General Students

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I HAVE BEEN GIVEN AN ESSAY TO WRITE (2500 WORDS) AND I HAVE TO DISCUSS WHETHER OR NOT NURSES FAIL TO ASSESS SEXUALITY AND WHY? I AM COMPLETELY BAFFLED BY THIS BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE SUCH A BIG ISSUE IN THE TEXT BOOKS BUT IT NEVER GETS MENTIONED ON THE WARDS. I ASKED A STAFF NURSE ON THE PLACEMENT THAT I AM ON WHY IT IS NOT COVERED IN THE CARE PLANS AND HE SAID THAT SEXUALITY WAS NOT RELEVANT ON AN ACUTE MEDICAL WARD. ANY IDEAS ANY BODY?

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I suppose that the reason many nurses do not discuss sexuality w/ patients is because they themselves are uncomfortable with the topic. However, we all know that changes in health or lifestyle can have great impact on our feelings about ourselves & relationships w/ others. One common example from nursing school is a nsg dx of "body image disturbance" after surgery (for example, when a pt w/ a new colostomy suddenly is feeling unattractive & needs help adjusting to bodily changes). Other patients may have concerns about their sexuality, but are afraid to ask. We as nurses should be sensitive to this aspect of human life, just as any other. It's often an uncomfortable topic, so that's why it is overlooked. However, it is important. Please share w/ us any insights you have from your assignment. Thanks for an interesting topic.

Specializes in Staff nurse.

When I admit a patient below the age of 70 I usually ask if using safe sex practices. Really, it should be part of our admission forms to ask about safe sex practices...are we not to nurse the whole person?

I usually don't ask the above 70...

I usually don't ask the above 70...

Why not? I'd think that those above 70 are more likely to have concerns about sexuality.

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.

...and this is why I am in the ED. If it ain't gonna kill you right now, it's not a priority.

Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Just like to point out that this thread is over 9 years old and I know much has changed since then

Specializes in Staff nurse.

Wow, I didn't even notice the age of the thread. I usually don't ask the over 70s at admission on our floor unless I see/hear/smell/feel evidence at initial assessment. The reason I don't initially unless pt. is very relaxed and no fam around, is because I find the over 70s are shocked when I ask "right away" (in their opinion).

Specializes in Cardiac Telemetry, ED.
Just like to point out that this thread is over 9 years old and I know much has changed since then

Yeah, there has been a lot of "gravedigging" around here lately.

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