Modesty Issues

ToryAdore · Nov 28, 2005

That's one of the things going against me because of my age. I've been told (by a pt.) that most men are more comfortable having this procedure done by a nurse in their 40's or 50's rather than one approaching 20. Especially with pts. my age who have control issues with a woman taking the upper hand so to speak. I do my best to remain clinical and professional yet I've been asked more than a few times to see if there's a more "seasoned" nurse available. The other nurses tell me to respond with "the other nurses are taking care of their own pts. right now and I'm your assigned nurse but I do make every attempt to fulfill their request. I feel bad that they're in for surgery in the first place and do not want to make their experience any more uncomfortable. And on the other hand, I do not want my collegues to take on the extra work that I'm being paid for. It's a big dilemma for me and I'm hoping to pick up a few tips with this post to make the going easier. Many thanks to all who've responded. Tory

huckfinn · Dec 1, 2005

Tory,

I'm curious. You are a nurse at only 19years old? That is an amazing accomplishment! So you graduated HS at 16 or 17 and then completed your AD and state boards by 19? Your school must not have had the multi-year waiting period to enroll in the nursing program. You are all that!

Huck

PS TO ALL: I find the whole catheterization thing much easier to handle mentally if you just think of it as another routine clinical procedure. Give good instructions, tell the truth about the discomfort;) :wink2: and get on with it. Always remember: Lubrication is the key to penetration!

danu3 · Dec 1, 2005

And on the other hand, I do not want my collegues to take on the extra work that I'm being paid for. It's a big dilemma for me and I'm hoping to pick up a few tips with this post to make the going easier. Many thanks to all who've responded. Tory

I wonder is it possible that you can do some swap instead. That way you won't be adding extra work for your collegues. Or I don't know... make it kind of fun... give your collegues a little home made thank-you card which they can "cash-in" in the future if they need your help or something like that.

Just brain storming...

-Dan

Ferret · Dec 1, 2005

mentally if you just think of it as another routine clinical procedure. Always remember: Lubrication is the key to penetration!

Where do I get the feeling that you switched from professional to innuendo somewhere in that post?

I've been recently caring for a person who has had massive problems afeter someone failed to put his foreskin back in place after a catheterisation. It is vital to makes sure this is done, believe me the results of forgetting are not pretty.

Ferret :devil:

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 1, 2005

Always remember: Lubrication is the key to penetration!

I would certainly hope this wouldn't be said outloud.

Ferret · Dec 1, 2005

And try not to notice if something comes up during catheterisation...

huckfinn · Dec 1, 2005

Ferret,

OH HO! The double en'tandre. Seriously...major lubrication helps the cath go in easier. Have you ever got the thing halfway in and hit a dry spot? Yes that applies to both situations. OUCH! Incidently, the lubrication/penetration bit came from a urologist. And, NEVER EVER cut the valve off to do routine draining of the balloon. That action removes your option of exploding a balloon with intentional over-inflation if you can't deflate with a syringe. Also a urologist's tip.

Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN · Dec 1, 2005

I'd actually heard that phrase on the "Talk Sex with Sue" on the Oxygen channel.

Ferret · Dec 1, 2005

Actually, I had written a far longer post on the issue that got lost die to a computer glitch (or user error), and I couldn't remember the whole post, so that was something that I wrote inadvertantly, it madse me groan, but fitted sooo perfectly I had to share...

Ferret :devil:

CaDad · Dec 8, 2009

Reading this makes me cringe-No thanks ladies-I will use a male every time or just not have it done, no matter what the Doctor orders. I cannot imagine anything so humiliating.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

Looking for words of wisdom from those who are more experienced with prepping a pt for surgery or catheterizing adult male pts with modesty issues. It has only happened a few times in the past year but it's still something I need to be able to deal with better. I hold a pts dignity high on my list of priorities. What do you do or say prior and during the procedure to ease their anxiety...? Any advise would be greatly appreciated.
Tory

Most of our pts are under general anesthesia so by the time we put a foley in, they are asleep. Usually the same for prepping.

Now, I used to do alot of Cysto, and some of those pts were awake. We do try to put the pt at ease as much as possible.

GadgetRN71, ASN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

Reading this makes me cringe-No thanks ladies-I will use a male every time or just not have it done, no matter what the Doctor orders. I cannot imagine anything so humiliating.

Most surgeons are trying to get away from foleys, but this can't always be avoided. The doctors and staff have your medical needs first and foremost in their minds. No one is getting excited about your member, believe me.