question for the guys

OK, so I'm not a guy, but I'm curious. I'm getting ready to start NS in Jan. I'm thinking I would prefer a guy lab partner to a female. It's been my experience from poking and prodding my husband that's it's easier to find landmarks and thus hear sounds and such on the male body. Would most guys be uncomfortable with a female lab partner? After having 2 kids, nothing embarrasses me, but I know not everyone shares my lack of inhibition!

KungFuFtr · Nov 30, 2007

OK, so I'm not a guy, but I'm curious. I'm getting ready to start NS in Jan. I'm thinking I would prefer a guy lab partner to a female. It's been my experience from poking and prodding my husband that's it's easier to find landmarks and thus hear sounds and such on the male body. Would most guys be uncomfortable with a female lab partner? After having 2 kids, nothing embarrasses me, but I know not everyone shares my lack of inhibition!

I would pick guys and gals as lab partners. Try switching partners often; the more variations you get the better. As far as being uncomfortable...I don't know what "most" guys prefer. Some people are shy, some are not. Have fun at school!

Gauge · Dec 1, 2007

We only used a lab partner for check offs on about 3 or 4 things. Baths, vital signs, etc. Nothing is really too intrusive so I don't think it would matter. Now mind you we haven't done full physical exams or anything yet so I couldn't tell you about that. My first semester is almost done though, one more week and then a week of finals!

mcknis · Dec 1, 2007

I was actually assigned a female lab partner for assessment checkoffs. We had to get down to our skivvies (shorts, and for the girls, a sports bra) we had to show as much skin for the assessment as possible (many of the girls didn't even have to change what they were wearing, much skin was already showing). I had no problem with a female lab partner, but will admit, it was easier when I had a male lab partner. But, after two years of school, it doesn't bother me either way. In the beginning though, many of us guys were assigned to female lab partners, to sort of break the ice. (These female lab partners were all young, pretty, with small body frames. Not sure if the lab instructors meant to do that, but something tells me, they did.)

frail316 · Dec 2, 2007

It doesn't matter really in the long run. Although, if you feel that you might learn more from having a male partner in lab, then by all means.

Jedi of Zen · Dec 19, 2007

I have heard at least one female student tell me that she prefers male students when auscultating heart & lung sounds, merely because of the ease of not having to work around breast tissue. Obviously, no one has that choice with real patients, so I guess you just have to get used to both males and females.