Young female patients

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

I work with a pediatric sedation team in the hospital as a care partner (it's like an ANA) and today I had a 15 year old female. I had to place ECGs on her, but I just kind of handed to a female nurse to do it. If the female nurse wasn't there to do it, should I have done it, or what should I have done? I want to be sensitive to the pt and realizing that I'm a 21 year old man, it might be embarrassing and awkward for the 15 year old woman.

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You handled it perfectly.

You are right in thinking it was a potentially sticky situation. In any case I would try to have another female present in such a situation.

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You handled it perfectly.

You are right in thinking it was a potentially sticky situation. In any case I would try to have another female present in such a situation.

I whould think that approach only creates more sexism. You are a professional, don't allow discrimination.

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He has to protect himself and his license. Suppose the girl felt or told someone that he touched her in a wrong way even if he didnt? I think he handled the situation perfectly fine.

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I whould think that approach only creates more sexism. You are a professional, don't allow discrimination.

I think that that creates a safer atmosphere for the patient and the nurse.

The reality is that innocent things can be misinterpreted by people who might already be in an altered level of consciousness. And women are more likely to misinterpret a male's actions regarding intimate body parts than men misinterpreting a woman's.

You can fight "sexism" and not bow to what others here consider simple common sense. But I would stronly advise you - and every practicing nurse - to pick up malpractice. http://www.nso.com

When I was a kid I was a feminist. Now I'm a middle aged realist.

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Specializes in Post Anesthesia.

The answer depends on her level of sedation and her feelings. A simple explanation that the doctor wants to monitor her heart by placing monitoring wires on her chest- it woun't hurt- just tape, "do you mind if I place the monitoring wires or would you like me to have one of the girls do it?" Offering the patient a choice empowers her and establishes a level of professionality and trust in the nurse patient relationship. You are asking for problems if you don't include the patient in this decision. Odds are, if she knows what you are doing and why, putting on tele patches isn't going to be a big issue for her.

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I think that that creates a safer atmosphere for the patient and the nurse.

The reality is that innocent things can be misinterpreted by people who might already be in an altered level of consciousness. And women are more likely to misinterpret a male's actions regarding intimate body parts than men misinterpreting a woman's.

You can fight "sexism" and not bow to what others here consider simple common sense. But I would stronly advise you - and every practicing nurse - to pick up malpractice. www.nso.com

When I was a kid I was a feminist. Now I'm a middle aged realist.

Again all of you are turning this into a sex issue, it is not one. This a a pt issue.

My nursing instructors, who are all female by the way. Agree that there will be no discrimination against male students in OB or other classes, and that pt's do not have the right to descriminate againt male nurses, or they will get no student nurses period.

I hate to say it again, but all of you are promoting that males are perverts and unprofessional in the work place, because we see sex first or our pt's do.

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Again all of you are turning this into a sex issue, it is not one. This a a pt issue.

My nursing instructors, who are all female by the way. Agree that there will be no discrimination against male students in OB or other classes, and that pt's do not have the right to descriminate againt male nurses, or they will get no student nurses period.

I hate to say it again, but all of you are promoting that males are perverts and unprofessional in the work place, because we see sex first or our pt's do.

Why do you think male physicians always have a female "chaperone" (nurse or CNA) in the room with them during physical exams of female clients??? It's not about males being perverts or unprofessional -- it's about how, if some young (or old) female accuses you of some impropriety, you won't have a leg to stand on unless you have a witness -- bye-bye, license ...

However, once you are independently licensed, you are free to take whatever risks you like with your license and professional future. :)

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Specializes in Pediatric Critical Care.

It's all about keeping the pt comfortable and respecting her wishes. It's not really a sex issue, it's pretty much just a comfort issue: for me and my license, and the girl.

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You handled it perfectly. In the event you couldn't get a female nurse to place the leads I would have absolutely had a female chaperone present especially as she is a minor. Even if the young girl didn't have a problem her parents might have and you avoided all issues. It's always best to protect yourself and your license.

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Someone from Oregon correct me if I'm wrong, but I beleive there is a legal requirement for a minor female (but not male) to have a female chaparone in the room when conducting a pelvic exam. As to something less invasive, as an EKG or breast exam, I feel certain there is some verbage, but can't find it now. Each person has a different background and expectations at age 15, so whether law or not, it's good practice to have a chaparone in the room anytime a minor of either sex is required to expose something that would normally be covered.

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Why do you think male physicians always have a female "chaperone" (nurse or CNA) in the room with them during physical exams of female clients??? It's not about males being perverts or unprofessional -- it's about how, if some young (or old) female accuses you of some impropriety, you won't have a leg to stand on unless you have a witness -- bye-bye, license ...

However, once you are independently licensed, you are free to take whatever risks you like with your license and professional future. :)

I have never seen this at the hospital that I do clinical at.

Sexual charges with no proof mean nothing. Nor have I ever heard such false charges been laid against a male nurse at the hospital which I do clinical.

A professional must never be afraid of this, my character is so upright, a charge like that whould never stand against me.

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