New nurse here. Earned my BSN in January and have been working full time at a medical group office since April. It may be a silly question, however I'm compelled to ask it.
I'm also a trained EKG tech, although the group is on the verge of hiring a dedicated EKG Tech/Phlebotomist. Since four of our six exam rooms are equipped for EKG's, the patient will often remain in the exam room, if the doctor has directed an EKG, until the "tech" (me) arrives. I've noticed that many male patients (not all, but many) eschew the disposable powder blue paper exam gowns, and choose to remain in their underwear for full exams. As such, I will often enter the room to perform the EKG and find the male patient in his underwear. I always explain that they may put their trousers on since its only an EKG, and offer to wait outside until they're done, in the interest of patient modesty. Surprisingly, they often cite a desire to "get it over with" and since they're already in prone position, they choose to remain in their underwear.
One 33 year old male patient, two weeks ago, carried on a 10 minute conversation with me about his sister's desire to pursue a nursing career and the benefits of a bachelors over a two-year degree, while wearing only Hanes briefs and socks. He talked casually as if we were neighbors who just met in the frozen food isle at the local Piggly Wiggly. I just find the casual behavior of men in underpants, surrounded by a primarily female staff, to be a bit surprising.
I've been around naked male patients and their "embarrassment" or "awkwardness" is palpable -- and that's an understandable human reaction. However, underpants seem to be another issue, all together. I find myself surprisingly slightly embarrassed by the "casualness" of their behavior, but i'll get used to it.
Again, at the end of the day, it's all a non-issue, but i must pose the question: Are my perceptions accurate or do male patients simply not care about modesty unless it involves nudity?
My son and ex husband always in their underwear and nothing else. My son does judo and while all of the women go into a dressing room to change, none of the men do. They strip down to their underwear and put their gis on for everyone to see and no one bats an eyelash. From older men to the little boys. The boys at competitions get dressed in the stands while the girls run to the restroom. I also think it has to do with society and how women should behave.
And that Laissez Faire attitude apparently (based on my own observations) applies to the exam room, as well. LOL.
I remember my mother (also RN) commenting that she'd seen more memberes than a two dollar hooker, LOL....shocked me at first, but now that I live the life, well.....ain't nothin' going on there of much interest now!
".....a two-dollar hooker." Funny. I have to remember that one.
From my PT perspective, I have no problem wearing just underpants in an exam room with doctors or nurses of either gender... with 3 caveats.
1. Underpants must be boxers. Prefer white but a low contrast plaid works. The fly can't be too loose or the end of my private situation could poke out inadvertently.
2. Do not make me lower them or remove them. If you must force this on me, only the doctor can be in the room. MA - exit post haste.
3. If #2 is forced on me, don't touch me or you're going to see my blood pressure rise to unhealthy levels.
Violation of any of these maxims and you have a really uneasy patient who isn't likely to cooperate. But hey, I'm just a victim of abuse in my childhood so give me some slack.
With this said, I may not actually be nursing material after all. I cannot see myself putting someone like me through this kind of thing....
Excellent revelation!! I'm so clever ? to come here to learn a little about your life as a nurse. My hat is off to you who can do it. Prolly, I need to re think my career swerve.
Specializes in Critical Care; Cardiac; Professional Development.
On 9/2/2014 at 10:45 AM, Spidey's mom said:
My husband walks around the house in his underwear. I wish he wouldn't.
But, in the hospital, I would have no problem with them just being in their underwear. It is certainly easier to get to their chest for an EKG.
This is funny. I would be the opposite. Hubby in his skivvies? No problem. Patient languishing in his underwear? Not unless its necessary, thank you very much. I have had too many inappropriate advances from men in my time on this earth to give them that kind of opening.
3. If #2 is forced on me, don't touch me or you're going to see my blood pressure rise to unhealthy levels.
It will very difficult if the doctor needs to check for a hernia or perform a prostate exam. There may also come a time when a nurse needs to insert a foley catheter. That will be up close and personal.
On 9/9/2019 at 1:08 PM, John Austin said:
With this said, I may not actually be nursing material after all. I cannot see myself putting someone like me through this kind of thing....
You will be seeing and touching genitals of both males and females in your nursing career. If that is a deal breaker, then you might want to choose a different career.
I have a husband and two sons. Pants are a rare commodity in our house. I’ve even had to remind my teenager to put pants on at the dinner table. Guys just really don’t care. Must be nice. LOL.
From my PT perspective, I have no problem wearing just underpants in an exam room with doctors or nurses of either gender... with 3 caveats.
1. Underpants must be boxers. Prefer white but a low contrast plaid works. The fly can't be too loose or the end of my private situation could poke out inadvertently.
2. Do not make me lower them or remove them. If you must force this on me, only the doctor can be in the room. MA - exit post haste.
3. If #2 is forced on me, don't touch me or you're going to see my blood pressure rise to unhealthy levels.
Violation of any of these maxims and you have a really uneasy patient who isn't likely to cooperate. But hey, I'm just a victim of abuse in my childhood so give me some slack.
With this said, I may not actually be nursing material after all. I cannot see myself putting someone like me through this kind of thing....
Excellent revelation!! I'm so clever ? to come here to learn a little about your life as a nurse. My hat is off to you who can do it. Prolly, I need to re think my career swerve.
Best wishes to you, whatever you decide.
For the OP: Just put a sheet or gown over the patient when you do the EKG or anything else that doesn't require him to be in his briefs. He can move the sheet after the procedure if he wants to.
More interesting, LOL....
I wish he wouldn't.
nycnurse92
14 Posts
And that Laissez Faire attitude apparently (based on my own observations) applies to the exam room, as well. LOL.