How do the male nurses feel about perineal care?

Katie5 · Jan 10, 2011

I'm with rn/writer on this one.
Sigh......the idea that nurses think much of anything at all about performing peri-care is sooooooo overplayed that it comes across as a poorly-disguised attempt to titillate. If you've been a nurse for any time at all, it's just another part of the job; if you've seen one of each, you've seen 'em all.
Besides, nursing is for grown-ups---and grown-ups don't make a big deal out of other peoples' genitalia no matter which gender they are. 'nuff said.

Grandma's cutie is absolutely adorable- she has a beautiful smile:yeah:

Spika RN · Jan 10, 2011

I think the question is more about how the patients feel about the male cleaning them. I could be wrong. How a male pt might feel about another guy washing his goods. Because men could be funny about that. I could be wrong. I have done mostly ICU and these people can't wash themselves. And the ones that can, I let them do it for themselves (I am a female)

Ok couple things one is is not a matter of who cleans what it is a matter of it gets clean... Now momrn I have talked with a few of my patients with wives ECT and 90% of them have told me most of time they prefer a male cleaning the male parts because we are gentler cuz we know how sentive it is down there so we don't wipe hard unless needed, and same for females says females seem to be able to be gentler with them but both said it didn't matter who it was they were just glad to be clean:twocents:

GRUNGE · Jan 10, 2011

over and over and over

Whistler · Jan 10, 2011

And again.

I am a nurse and male, not "male nurse", and I feel this a little insulting not as a man but as a professional. Nobody questions how a doctor (male or female) "feels" about patient genitalia (OB-GYN, protologist, urologist,..) in their assesments because their profesionalism is assumed unless proven wrong but when the "male nurse" shows up, we need to wonder if he would be able to keep their professionalism.

Ugh!

Katie5 · Jan 11, 2011

you'd think that all of us would get that...
but tell that to the gazillion, filthy, feces-crusted foley caths i've seen.
leslie

Bad bad imagery(shudder)!

sdwmb · Jan 12, 2011

when a man is providing perineal care to a female do you make sure that someone is in the room with you like a ob/gyn does to protect yourself from false claims?

SalineFlush · Jan 12, 2011

You find it hard to believe a male patient would want another male to perform his perineal care? Well....I am male, I am a nurse, and I would prefer another male to perform my perineal care if I am unable to do it myself, thanks. And I would have to be paralyzed and/or comatose before I'd delegate my personal hygiene to anyone else.

As for performing perineal care on women, I avoid it if I can. I don't have to get into that side of nursing very often with my patient population as they are usually able to tend to their own hygiene, but when the necessity presents itself (very rare), I usually try to get one of my female colleagues to do it in exchange for me taking care of one of their nursing duties. If that isn't feasible, I rally myself and get to the task at hand. I feel much less awkward performing personal care on men than on women as it seems so much more straight-forward.

The first time I had to start a foley on a woman (and it was a multi-nurse job) traumatized me for life. I was still a student and the woman was morbidly obese with a terribly pendulous belly and over age 65, so one nurse held the left leg, another nurse held the right, and I, by the grace of God, managed to start the foley while pretty much going in blind. After the whole scene was over, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry :eek: .

Overland1, RN · Jan 12, 2011

...Please don't respond with rude comments.

Gee, that takes all the fun out of it. :yeah:

Seriously, parts is parts, and if they need to be cleaned, we will "git 'r done" PRN.

Seriously, do not let being a "male nurse" become a factor that holds you back from being an excellent nurse.

johnnybravo8802 · Jan 12, 2011

I started out as a nurse tech so, yea, I've washed a lot of tail. Like another said, I'd wash everything but the perineal area and give them a choice of washing that area or I would. Out of 18 yrs., I've never had a male refuse-I don't know why they would. In fact, most prefer a male because of modesty-they don't want to get an erection. If you're a female student, I suggest you get over the fear of an erection because that's your job and things happen-You're dealing with humans and emotions. I've had a few modest little ole ladies refuse and that was ok and sometimes young women get embarrassed and that's ok too-If the husband is in the room, I try to encourage them to do that part. The big picture is the nsg. shortage-Most pts don't have a choice-Either I do or they'll have to wait a long time for a female and it may not get done. Again, I agree about it being a pt. versus a male/female but you have to use your judgement when the time arises.

middleager · Jan 12, 2011

I am male an agree 100% with salineflush. I feel more comfortable with a male in these situations because contrary to what some put out there, I do not view this as anything sexual as far as thinking a female nurse is going to have any attraction to this 50 something average guy whom is so sick I need someone to wash me, and see it as a modesty issue. I grew up playing sports and work out in a gym so I have become more used to same gender nudity when showering in that setting. Besides, I really do not care that much what another guy thinks I look like naked or not, but I would a female. I have never been in that situation, but I would have to be in really bad shape to ask-let someone else wash me so not sure I would care in that condiction. Hard to figure the human mind out isn't it.

azhiker96, BSN, RN · Jan 12, 2011

Do male nurses actually wash the male and female genitalia? I'm sure this question has been around for ages, but I can't find an answer anywhere... I just find it hard to believe that a male patient would want or even allow a male nurse to do those things.
Please don't respond with rude comments.

I am a nurse and male and I do actually wash male and female genitalia. I also change peripads, assess for bleeding, insert and d/c foleys. However, I start by assessing my patient and in some cases I may ask a female coworker to perform the task for me. It's all about the patient. Most patients are fine with me performing the tasks listed above because I show them respect and approach the task in a professional manner.

Some patients automatically get turfed to a female coworker. Those are females from 2yr to about 20yrs or anyone who gives me a strange vibe that indicates they are uncomfortable with the procedure. If no other nurse can help me then I get a female tech to assist with the procedure for my protection.

I also help my coworkers who need it. Just last week I d/c a foley on a male pt who didn't want his female nurse to see his privates. We work together for the good of the patient.

briang30 · Jan 12, 2011

It's part of the job.