I'm guilty. It's about the condom catheter

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing, med/surg adult care.

The time is 1:20 am, and I can't sleep. I am bothered by what I did with my patient's condom catheter.

At first, I did what a good nurse should; I explained the need for the procedure, made the patient comfortable, cleaned and dried the genitalia, changed the condom catheter (etc). Everything went fine.

After 30 minutes, the patient called because he " accidentally" pulled off the c.cath. So I taped the sheath back into place, tightened it a little, and reminded him to care for it. But the thing was that he kept calling for the same concern over and over. He won't let anybody but me to do what has to be done. On the 4th time within just an hour that he called for a nurse, I sent the Nursing assistant to check on him; and there he was caught removing the velcro tape. Still he insisted on requesting for me to put the thing back.

I knew I am patient and considerate, but that time my shift was to end in an hour and I still have a lot of documentations to do.

Even so, I went to this patient and said in a very professional manner that he's being manipulative and I won't tolerate it. He smiled and said that I should be enjoying each time I get to hold his genital instead of complaining because it is my job to give "pleasure" to my patients. I felt insulted, really, that I taped his pubic hair to the sheath. He did not buzz anymore.

I know it will be really painful each time he attempts to pull off his condom catheter.

I endorsed it to the in-coming nurse though.

I cannot rationalize for what I did. I feel guilty.

Do you also do things like this with patients who in all means are suppose to be understood and cared for by their nurse?

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Specializes in LTC/Rehab,Med/Surg, OB/GYN, Ortho, Neuro.

While I can't say that I have done what you did, I can say I completely understand your frustration. Really, it's no different than having someone keep pulling their IV out, so it gets secured w/ a lil more tape, and just happens to be taped on to more arm hair (completely guilty myself).

What was the need for the condom cath?Would it have been possible for him to go w/o it? Definitely a call to the doc would have been in order. I hope that you charted all of your interactions, and at least let your manager know.

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Not cool at all.

We aren't supposed to punish bad patients but don't beat yourself up about it too much. The guy was an a$$ to put it mildly. Forgive yourself and don't do anything like that again in the future. :cool:

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Specializes in Med/Surg, ICU, educator.

while I'd never directly endorse bad behavior for nurses or retaliation against a patient, for a horses orifice like this I think you found the cure ;)

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Specializes in ICU/ER/Flight.

You were being sexually harrassed, don't feel an ounce of guilt!

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing, med/surg adult care.

The patient is on IVF challenge. Fluid I & O is being monitored. He is post CVA with residuals, left hemiplegic and is incontinent. He refused IFC insertion, thus the order for condom cath.

I love this site!

Thank you guys

-Tatara

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What!? Feel guilty? Why?

What I don't understand is why you put up w/his BS in the first place.:confused: That is sexual harassment and should have been reported according to your facility's policy. I personally would have informed him the second time that his member is his concern from now on and that if the cath comes loose again I am reporting him for his behavior.

Sexual harassment is WRONG. Period. Don't put up with it. (Can you tell I have some issues here?)

By the way, I nearly peed my pants laughing at the visual of him trying to pull it off with the hair attached!!

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Specializes in psych,maternity, ltc, clinic.

I'd definitely let the MD know he is using the condom cath for sexual gratification/harrassment. Let the doc read him the riot act. No reason he cant put on his own condom cath. His behavior is anti-social and you and your coworkers should not have to put up with it.

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Specializes in ED.

Are there any male nurses on your unit? If so you should have had him go change it and see if he pulls it off again.

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Specializes in psychiatric nursing, med/surg adult care.

sexual harassment... yeah, I should have been more assertive of my rights as an individual.

I don't know, but things about abuse and harassment isn't that easy to be raised in a male dominated society like that of ours. It is harder to become a nurse in a place where women lack liberty.

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Specializes in LTC, Home Health.

I am really impressed by the responses so far. I am waiting for the usual people who come out of the screaming about how "mean" you are and telling you what a bad nurse you are. I think you did what I wish I could have done. I have reported patients like this to my DON and doctors and nothing was done. That patient will think twice before being stupid.

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Specializes in CT ICU, OR, Orthopedic.

don't feel bad! I think it was a great solution!!

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