Condom Catheter Crisis

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Had a patient last night who required the condom catheter to be changed. While in the process of rolling the new catheter on, the patient began to get an erection....this has never happened to me in all my 7 years or so in healthcare. Naturally I was embarresed for the patient and myself. What do you do in a situation like this? Do you apologize to the patient?

I agree just place the condom cath and go about your business. If they bring it up then tell them its a natural reaction. If you get embarrassed then the pt will also. They are entitled to thier dignity.

It became an issue because "they did bring it up." I do object to an earlier comment that an erection is gross.

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The problem with the patient having an erection during insertion, is they usually fall off soon after d/t the decrease in member size. Make sure you go back to check or it will all be for nothing.

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Specializes in Psychiatry, ICU, ER.
It became an issue because "they did bring it up." I do object to an earlier comment that an erection is gross.

Amen. I don't happen to think they're gross, and even if they were, we men certainly wouldn't have the market cornered in that department. :zzzzz

Anyway... :smokin:

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Specializes in Day program consultant DD/MR.
It became an issue because "they did bring it up." I do object to an earlier comment that an erection is gross.

You have got the wong person about the erection is gross comment that was not me.

As far as the rest of the post:

I do not see how it's an "issue" even if the pt's brings it up. You are a professional and need to act accordingly. I am sure that somewhere in your career you will have additional conversations or have to teach about other topics that may cause embarrassment to your pt. If you keep it on a professional level this will put the pt at ease.

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A thought from a possible future patient...If the patient expressed embarrasment..acknowledge that fact....maybe with a "Yeah ..I understand...but its cool, ok?" just please do not use that cliche' "I've seen it all" they don't care what you have or have not seen....they care about being seen and their own embarrasment...acknowledge

their feelings and move on...with whatever else you need to say to them or do.

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An erection is gross by all means but so is changing a dirty diaper. It's natural. Why is everyone so conscious about erections? They happen. Most guys know they happen for no reason and in the most inappropriate times no matter how hard you try to stop it. You just ignore it.

Ah, a dirty diaper can be far worse on your olfactory bulb than any erection!

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