Nursing Students General Students
Published Sep 1, 2000
KHRISTY
5 Posts
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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Genista, BSN, RN
811 Posts
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.
psalm, RN
1,263 Posts
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...
Smartferret
137 Posts
Why not? I'd think that those above 70 are more likely to have concerns about sexuality.
Virgo_RN, BSN, RN
3,543 Posts
...and this is why I am in the ED. If it ain't gonna kill you right now, it's not a priority.
Silverdragon102, BSN
1 Article; 39,477 Posts
Just like to point out that this thread is over 9 years old and I know much has changed since then
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).
Yeah, there has been a lot of "gravedigging" around here lately.