weird coming out of her vagina

[smiley22]

I just recently started a new job at an assisted living. I'm in charge of over 130 residents and staff. I have only been an LPN for 8 months with mostly LTC experience. So one of my staff members said there is something coming out of her lady parts, like a string or something. This lady is 82??? I was thinking with her confusion its possible she may have had access to tampons or something. upon assessment, it was a yellow tubing, like foley tubing only it was looped and barely hanging out of her lady parts. urine was leaking down from it. I immed called her PCP, I have searched high and low for an explanation. CAN ANYONE HELP??

[Thunderwolf, MSN, RN]

Moving thread to Medical-Surgical Nursing forum.

[LoriAlabamaRN]

Since she is confused, she may have found something and stuck it up there. It's been known to happen. We've had cases where a female resident has inserted a napkin, a lipstick, etc up there. That's a possiblitiy in this case, although the fact that it is tubing is a bit odd...

[bjs54321]

Pessary?

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

I was thinking pessary also. She needs to see a GYN because if it has been there a long time without removal and cleaning it can really abrade the tissue and worse. Can you request a GYN referral for her? If an NP or MD visits perhaps they could check it out and see what is present.

[luvmy2angels]

Does she have a dx of prolapsed uterus?? Sounds like a pessary to me. I would refer her to a gyn. and have them check it out.

[meownsmile, BSN, RN]

Ya im thinking long forgotten pessery. I'd definately have the PCP take a look next time he was in if it is still there. If it is visible at this point though it may be out before he gets back into the facility. Just keep charting until its dx and further orders or treatment is recommended.

You could also ask the family, they may know if she was given a pessery prior to her coming to your facility, or they may know who to call to find out, like a previous PCP.

[AnnemRN]

I agree.........I found this website www.dyspareunia.org/html/pessary.htm

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

urine was leaking down from it

If urine is leaking from it, i'm not thinking it's a pessary.

But definitely something that her doctor should be checking out. Removing it could cause problems, yet leaving it there could as well.

[DutchgirlRN, ASN, RN]

I had this experience twice as a student. First time it was a pessary and the second time it looked like a pink tennis ball but it was her prolapsed uterus.

[CrunchRN, ADN, RN]

Maybe she is leaking urine because it is a pessary that has become dislodged. Whatever the case - she needs a pelvic exam!

[NurseLatteDNP, MSN, DNP, RN]

I agree that she needs a exam, but can you send a sample to the lab? Maybe they can figure it out.