Awkward Situation

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Yesterday, I was distributing meds, and I knocked on the next pt.'s door (16 yr. old male). There was no reply. So I knocked a second time, louder, and waited a few moments. I decided that the pt. must be asleep, so I opened the door and went in, and he lying in his bed masturbating. I was momentarily stunned, but I left quickly.

I have never encountered this before... How do you handle the situation professionally?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in TBA.

1) Recover as fast as possible from being stunned

2) Hope that you didn't make eye contact. If you did, look away and move out asap for the privacy of the patient.

3) Regroup your thoughts as to what your objective was in entering the room and keep those in mind above what you just witnessed.

4) Deliver a discreet message to the patient in the next couple of minutes without interfering with the patient's privacy (except for of course poking your head in the room just enough to deliver a clear message), stating that you'll be back in "X" minutes to deliver the patient's meds.

Whew...done. This post went through many revisions. :) Merry Christmas!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well if you knocked twice I would have to think that he definitely wanted you to see what he was doing, so that tells me he is a perv, and I would ask to trade with another nurse.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Ortho, Neuro, Detox, Tele.

recover quickly, move out of the room, and simply allow enough time to finish. Knock and announce

yourself before entering.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.

Yep, that's awkward. Understandable, considering the age of the patient. How totally embarrassing. I would personally leave and come back later, and pretend like I didn't see anything and be businesslike.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
Well if you knocked twice I would have to think that he definitely wanted you to see what he was doing, so that tells me he is a perv, and I would ask to trade with another nurse.

He was probably caught up in what he was doing. Many young men this age have strong sex drives and can get into masturbating more than once a day. It can be quite a compulsive habit for some.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

firestarter makes good points. My advice on leaving grab gloves before you touch the door knobs......lol

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, Med/Surg, Peds, ICU, Tele.
firestarter makes good points. My advice on leaving grab gloves before you touch the door knobs......lol

:rotfl: ;) Thanks for the laugh.:D

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in psych. rehab nursing, float pool.

Honest, true story..

Once upon a time in the land of acute psychiatry. We had a fellow very interested in himself. I of course went into his room one day, saw, turned, touch the door handle, yikes, is all I can say.

I think I washed my hands fifty times that day, I still thought I could feel goo...

Personally I think he did it on purpose,

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics.

I guess being a peds nurse, I'm not really shocked about this. When I worked in the hospital, this has happened a few times with my teenage boy pts. I usually saw it as a sign that their pain was under good control and they were feeling better! Very funny when sitting at the desk, I would see their heart rate jump up on the monitor, and would go to check on them, only to find... :chuckle This is normal behavior for a teenager, even if they are in the hospital.

Luckily, they were so interested in themselves, they didn't know I saw what I saw, so I was able to back out, wait about 30 min and return for what ever.

As far as the perv comment, I don't buy that. Probably the boy was so caught up in what he was doing that he just didn't see you. INow when I worked psych and this happened, THAT was a different matter.

Also, I very nice reminder to ALWAYS wear gloves when picking up dirty linens off the floor!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well, I definitely wouldn't choose that moment to ask if I could help him with anything! lol Seriously, once I had a moment to recover and was pretty sure the deed was done, I'd knock, go in with the meds, and tell him when he can expect me back in the room. I try to go over the plan of care at the beginning of my shift, but I also realize adolescents aren't necessarily listening carefully nor necessarily care about the day's schedule. I don't think I'd touch anything in the room without gloves after that!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER,ICU,L+D,OR.

After all my years of doing this work. That wouldnt surprise or shock me either, not in the least. Ive seen teen boys, adult males, elderly males, even some women. I just say excuse me, I will return in 10 minutes. I act like it never happened. yes I wear gloves. That is always smart thing to do anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment