Pubic hair

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My female patient wants me to shave her pubic hair, she cant do it herself she only has limited movement of one arm . Should I do it? (I would rather not) any advice? Update-this is a LTC Vent patient who is not going home. Believe it or not this isn't the first patient that asked me to do this I had another patient with ALS ask me to trim hers with an electric razor because she said the hair gets caught in her underwear and pulls. I had got "pulled" to her unit and she asked me to do it -had her own electric razor-so me like a fool assuming the nurses were doing it for her went ahead and did it then i found out that only a few people would do it for her. What do I look like? the personal pube trimmer? also she was a real pain in the butt about how it was trimmed, I dont want to relive that nightmare!

Thats just shag nasty. Tell that woman to send her mom to Walgreens for some wax! Nurses have better things to do.And it's still shag nasty!

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

In the grand scheme of things i'd rather groom someone down yonder than manually disimpact someone's bowel.

Of course I'm of the school of thought that this is probably only going to happen via my hands for somethat needs it for a good reason such as interfering with a foley, or uncomfortable AND if the person doesn't have an alternate shaving delegate.

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

I have never heard of an "Alternate Shaving Delegate", is this some kind of an official title.

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Specializes in ER and Home Health.

Actually, if the patient needed assistance with this. And if her request was valid and justified. I see no issue with this. This is a matter of patient comfort, that is all. I know how I prefer my grooming needs. I can understand others with their grooming needs. In ER we fast shaving them for the Cath lab, or OR all the time. We do not even think about this as an issue then.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

This is not within the scope of practice of a nurse.

I wouldn't do it. What if the pt complains after you've shaved and you can get into big trouble.

In my 2nd year clinical placement. I was in a middle of an arguement between a daughter and a nurse. The daughter's father was bedridden and the daughter got upset because she wanted the nurse to trim the public hair because it was considered to be dirty. The nurse still refused so the daughter did it herself. She was so anger that she felt that she need to teach someone on the floor so they know how to do it. Guess what? The daughter forced me to watch her trim it. It was really awkward and I didn't want to see, so I told her that I have to check with my pt and left.

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What about trimming with an electric trimmor, (or scissor and comb) then again there is always and electric shaver which she might better manage with a little help.

I DO believe that helping a patient or client remain their level of care and their dignity IS a part of my job description.

If I was incapacitated and wanted someone to help me trim my neck hairs and the rejected me because "it wasn't in their job description" then I would think they are cruel!

I hope you find a way to help this patient or else help her, humanely, to find help for the care she requires.

Gen

I agree with this. I am a male nurse, and I can't see any issue with taking an electric razor and getting the job done in 10 seconds, under the watchful eye of a family member and one of my female coworkers for backup. I mean, I am putting in foleys, enemas, have delivered babies, etc. How is a trip around the mons pubis (and a bit lower) for a few seconds any different or inappropriate?

As to the "its not in my job description", I doubt that, inasmuch as it must be covered under some "hygiene and dignity" section. I have no problem with this. Don't get me wrong, I am not looking forward to the request, but as long as the request is appropriate, I feel good about making my clients feel good. Well, maybe not "TOO GOOD".... ;)

Normally, I would say do it yourself...but if she looked like she had Don King in a leglock...I would do it.

You owe me a new computer monitor! LOL.

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Specializes in Staff nurse.
This is not within the scope of practice of a nurse.

I wouldn't do it. What if the pt complains after you've shaved and you can get into big trouble.

Sure it is...personal hygiene and patient comfort and safety are within our scope of practice, part of our ADLs. We wash the patient's body and hair if they can't. If the pubic hair gets in the way of foley, or is so long it gets to the rectum, there's the hygiene issues. I don't know if shaving would be necessary, just cut the last 5-6 inches. And I HAD a patient with pubic hair so long it would get caught in her perineal and rectal folds, and pull, causing pain, frustration and embarassment. Or be stuck to her Depends after a bowel movement. But it has to be with pt. permission.

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Specializes in Operating Room.
Thats just shag nasty. Tell that woman to send her mom to Walgreens for some wax! Nurses have better things to do.And it's still shag nasty!

Ok, I am so stealing that phrase "shag nasty"...:yeah: Never heard it before though.

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.
I have never heard of an "Alternate Shaving Delegate", is this some kind of an official title.

I hear it's an honor to some to be named "Alternate Shaving Delegate" :jester:

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

I don't regulary use razor blades as my method to remove hair for personal reasons. Especially electric razors. Therefore I cannot say that I will be confident to trim one's pubic hair.

There are always pros and cons to actions. I don't mean to be a pessimist but I see a lot of cons to trimming someone's public hair. The original post did state that the pt did complain of the way how it was trimmed. I think it would be best if the pt can get a family member or hire a private care attendant to provide personal grooming because this pt appears to like how things are done specifically and that person will be very knowledgeable of what the pt wants and doesn't want.

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Specializes in Rehab, Infection, LTC.

i dont get it. whats the big deal? if it needs done for cleanliness or a medical problem, i'd just do it. no biggie for me.

i wont do it just so they can have a cute hooha, but if they need it and cant do it, i'd help.

i've shaved quite a few hoohas in my career. i do it in hopes that someone will shave mine when i need it, lol.

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Specializes in OR.

Well my philosphy is once you seen one you have seen them all!!!

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