Would you look at your friend's bottom if they asked you to?

[Sash123]

Let me explain the situation. My friend had been poorly over the weekend. I think it was something that they ate on friday night. So I'm thinking food poisoning or gastroenteritis. Bless him. He was having diarrhoea all weekend, along with the sweats so he was quite unwell. Have you got the picture. Anyway, he comes out of the bathroom saying that there is something wrong down below. I couldn't stop laughing which is very unprofessional of me but I am at home and he is a friend. Anyway I stated that "there was no way I was going to look at his bottom". But then when I put my nursing hat on and said that I would but by then he was too embarassed. I did ask him to describe it to me and it did sound like a prolapse. Not really my speciality. Anyway I advised him to go and see his GP or go to the walk in centre. My question is would you look at your friends bottom or any other part of their private parts if asked? :imbar

[SunRose7]

i would look, however i did have a close family member half jokingly ask me to help with getting her nuvaring in... all i could say was ":eek::stone...uhh, maybe you should've stuck with the pill?"

[Elvish, BSN, DNP, RN, NP]

It would depend on the friend and why they are asking.

[2BSure]

Immediate family, yes. The trouble with this sort of thing is it can get a nurse in trouble.

[nursemike, ASN, RN]

These days, a lot of my friends are women, and I look at their butts pretty regularly.

Professionally? I suppose I probably would, if asked. I can't diagnose, but I can assess and report what I find.

Now that I think about it, I can't honestly say whether I'd feel more awkward looking at a male or female friend's butt. Professionally, I mean.

[2BSure]

I do have one male friend who has a bum you could bounce a tennis ball off but I'd rather see it healthy than w/ a prolapsed bowel.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

I typically don't have a problem taking a little look-see at someone's nether regions. I do make sure to tell them that I can't make any diagnosis.

[tencat]

Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt.....:) It does depend on the friend and what's up with said friend. Gave daily IM shots to a nursing friend of mine once.

[jadelpn, LPN, EMT-B]

I would definetely encourage your friend to go to his MD or the Walk-in Centre.

I would say something to the effect of "You really need to see your MD--you know I think the world of you, but examining anything below the belt when not at work would mean either I brought you home from a bar, or we'd be married in some states--" or some other applicable cheeky comment that would diffuse the embarrassment, and make light of the uncomfortable nature of the request....

[HippyGreenPeaceChick]

Looking at a butt, is not a big deal. We are nurses, we see butts all the time. If it helps them decide what to do look at it. Does not mean I am going to treat their rash or prolapse. I will look make them feel better because I care, and tell them to go see their doctor. Looking does not hurt. After being a Corpsman on active duty. You have any idea how many butts I have had to look at.

PS-- some are kind of cute just kidding

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

Oh, heck, I'd look at a stranger's bottom, let alone a friend's.

[nerdtonurse?, BSN, RN]

Oh, heck, I'd look at a stranger's bottom, let alone a friend's.

I can just see the nursing tshirt now:

"I'm paid to look at your tush, so DROP'M"

[kids]

I have a friend who is a para with a sacral wound, I've been changing his Wound Vac twice a week for 6 months. At this point I've seen a whole lot more than his tush.