Shuck

So females stay dressed? or they get to keep some clothes on?

Any other inputs?

1. As far as how sports physicals should only evaluate cardiovascular and motor systems, the NP did say something in the lines of, "These sports physicals are the only physicals many of these boys get." I guess that's part of the reason why she is particularly thorough. Although I do agree that for sports physicals, genital area doesn't matter (except hernia), I have seen several school sports medical forms where they are biased towards males. For instance, I've seen several where one of the exam criteria said, "Genitalia and orifice" Other was when one teen came in for a sports physical, he brought a form issued by the school, and apparently there was an option to have the school nurse do the exam during school hours. His parents opted out for a private MD to do the exam. On part of the opt-out form, it said, "Please have your student athlete come to the Physical night with t-shirt and shorts with elastic waist band (males). The male exam will include a check of the genitals. The female exam will not include genital or breast exam."

Well, whether it is a sports physical or a standard physical, she pretty much goes through the same agenda in terms of examination guideline. I've assisted in physicals for both genders. Boys always end up completely undressed towards the end of the physical for a genital and visual orifice exam (never a DRE), and females are mostly covered, expect for the parts that are examined. She normally lifts the shirt up for a scoliosis check for girls. I should mention that she only performs breast/genital exam on a female patient only if a parent raises a concern. As for one poster who asked if the supervisors or parents know about this, yes. Sometimes a parent sits in during the exam, whether it may be boys or girls, so they know. I don't see any standard protocols for this subject, so I guess I can't argue with the NP. She did give me the "I've been doing this for 25 years" speech once....

Hi, The user in the General Discussions forum suggested I get an input from some of you with the below subject. I posted the below in the General Discussions forum a while back. So I suppose I want to get your input so I can tell the NP what the standard practices are as for how much a patient is supposed to disrobe based on gender. **** I have been working at a private pediatric office for a couple months or so after I got my nursing degree. During spring/summer times, there are a lot of teens coming in for sports physical or just a general physical. The practice consists of all women. I work with a nurse practitioner, and most of the time, the NP does the sports physical. What I didn't understand was, that when a female comes in for a physical exam, she just tells her to remove her shoes and socks, but when a male comes in, she tells him to undress down to underpants. Of course, for a male, the examination includes a hernia exam, so she asks the patient to remove his underpants towards the end. She also does a brief visual check of the orifice. (never a DRE) She also examines the testicles and retracts the foreskin if the patient is uncircumcised. For a female, she keeps them covered except for the parts that are being examined, but she does not perform a breast exam or a genital exam, unless if there is concern. I just couldn't understand why she differentiates how much a patient disrobes, and what parts of the body is examined based on their gender. Adolescent females are not immune to growth abnormalities either. I would provide both patients, regardless of gender, a gown, and not omit any part of an exam, just because of gender, but apparently, the NP that I work with has a different view on things. She is in her 50s, so maybe she has an old way of thinking. Is this practice standard?

Wow, been busy lately, haven't checked this in a while. Thank you for your help people, I think I will post this in the pediatrics forum.

thanks. I just didn't question the NP further since she is condescending and I rather not argue with her since I have to see her every day. Maybe I need to find a job at new office, or maybe I am too sensitive.

thanks for the reply, I know importance of hernia and testicular cancer screening in males, but it seems like she over protects the modesty of adolescent females and omitting important criteria, such as checking developmental issues. It is not like females are just that much more immune to growth problems.

I did, but she just said that it is the way she has always been doing it.

I've been working at a private pediatric office for a couple months or so after I got my nursing degree. During spring/summer times, there are a lot of teens coming in for sports physical or just a general physical. The practice consists of all women. I work with a nurse practitioner, and most of the time, the NP does the sports physical. What I didn't understand was, that when a female comes in for a physical exam, she just tells her to remove her shoes and socks, but when a male comes in, she tells him to undress down to underpants. Of course, for a male, the examination includes a hernia exam, so she asks the patient to remove his underpants towards the end. She also does a brief visual check of the orifice. She also examines the testicles and retracts the foreskin if the patient is uncircumcised. For a female, she keeps them covered except for the parts that are being examined, but she does not perform a breast exam or a genital exam. I just couldn't understand why she differentiates how much a patient disrobes, and what parts of the body is examined based on their gender. Adolescent females are not immune to growth abnormalities either. I would provide both patients, regardless of gender, a gown, and not omit any part of an exam, just because of gender, but apparently, the NP that I work with has a different view on things. She is in her 50s, so maybe she has an old way of thinking. Is this practice standard?