They were in bed together.

Well, you checked in to see if he needed anything- looks like that was a "no". Seriously, I don't think you're in any trouble...

That's a great question/scenario for nursing students to ponder. No, you won't get in trouble, but it's too bad you didn't speak with your instructor about it because it's a great topic for post-conference - how do we respect patients' privacy and autonomy while being aware of any background factors that may conflict.

You don't say your setting (LTC vs acute, etc) but there are different ethics/legalities that tend to pop up more in certain settings. The situation itself isn't something that would need to get reported just because it is a bit awkward/uncomfortable, though.

In my setting: Wonderful - Let me go get your discharge papers!

Long-term care where the patient is in his home setting is obviously different.

I can't see how you would get in any trouble.

This did remind me of a patient of mine that was fully aware that he was on video feed for safety and even this didn't stop him...the monitor tech must of gotten an unexpected shock that shift as these are used to decrease patient falls...

I'm just a student, but based on the information given, I'd mention it to someone. My reasoning on that is that you've never seen this woman before and he's got some dementia. I would make sure it wasn't an assault situation because consent might be an issue depending on his mental status.

my first job was on a neuro floor, and we had a fair amount of relatively healthy pts come in for 24-hr EEGs. I remember the charge nurse sticking a piece of paper over the lower half of the video monitor at the desk, so that we (or any visitors walking past the station) didn't have to see the BJs.

Agree that it would have been a good topic for post conference.

my first job was on a neuro floor, and we had a fair amount of relatively healthy pts come in for 24-hr EEGs. I remember the charge nurse sticking a piece of paper over the lower half of the video monitor at the desk, so that we (or any visitors walking past the station) didn't have to see the BJs.

Agree that it would have been a good topic for post conference.

I'm rolling around the floor laughing over here.

Wait...this happened to you during clinical rotation and you DIDN'T discuss this in post-conference? When your clinical instructor asked you, "Well, did anything exciting happen with your patient today?" what was your answer? "Not much. Just morning meds and therapeutic communication."

Agree - this is post conference GOLD!

Also agree that the ethics of this are fascinating - how does informed consent work in a population with impaired cognition? We do talk about how a SNF is a patient's "home." I don't know about you, but I like to have sex in my home too!

your nursing diagnosis could have be: Readiness for enhanced knowledge RT safe sex practices AEB observed pt having sex with a female visitor in his room during shift. One of our professors told us that some of the highest rates of STD's are in various LTC and retirement settings.

Well, OP did say, med-surg clinicals, so I would presume this to not have been long term care of any sort. "Some dementia" can also mean many things. I would would probably be of the angle of "okay then, I'll give you a bit to get changed and be right back for your discharge teaching." I guess I wouldn't really need to give examples of "activity as tolerated" then, would i?

I think you only get in trouble if you join in.

When I worked in the hospital, a colleague once walked in on an infant patient's parents (who were 16 years old, btw) having sex.