URGENT! prolapsed uterus or bladder?

Nurses General Nursing

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So, I'm at work right now in a LTC facility. We have an elderly woman with a prolapsed something-don't know if it's uterus or bladder. Doc said to push it back in. Can I do that as a nursing measure? Thanks!

Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

eek! Pass me a pessary,please.I cared for a gal years ago with a prolapsed urerus-the family refused surgery and she lived for years with that thang dangling.We had to clean and lube it every shift to keep it moist.

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Specializes in Gerontology.

I've had to reduce a prolapsed uterus - I had a pt whose Uterus would keep prolapasing - she needed a pessary and it was on order. I was told that it was important to reduce it right away as leaving it out could cause problems.

I applied a gauze soaked in sterile N/S to moisten the uterus, then just pushed it back in with my gloved hand. The first time I did it I was scared silly but after a time or two if just became part of my routine, - check diaper for wetness, remove old diaper, peri-care/skin care, re-insert uterus, apply dry diaper.

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eek! Pass me a pessary,please.I cared for a gal years ago with a prolapsed urerus-the family refused surgery and she lived for years with that thang dangling.We had to clean and lube it every shift to keep it moist.

That poor thing. Why wouldn't they allow you to do the surgery?! I'm sure the woman would have wanted it. No one wants their goods hanging outside their body. So sad.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Hospice, Float pool, Med/Peds.

This happened to me... I was going to the bathroom and something fell out of me... ;(

I went to work and kept pushing this thing up... After work, I went to the ER and it was my uterus... I ended up having a hysterectomy and am happy to have that surgery... They wanted me to have a peseary (sp) and I refused at 30 years old... That was the best surgery that I ever had... ;)

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.
That poor thing. Why wouldn't they allow you to do the surgery?! I'm sure the woman would have wanted it. No one wants their goods hanging outside their body. So sad.

She had dementia and was dependent for all adl's,non-verbal and in her 70's...I assume they believed she would not live long---but she did.That and the fact that they would not contribute a penny to her care were the deciding factors..

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Specializes in NICU, Post-partum.

I was reading this..I think SEEING a prolapse bladder would be impossible.

Assuming she still has a uterus and a cervix...the bladder is behind it.

Isn't that basic anatomy?

I think a prolapsed bladder (cystocele) would be "seen" in symptoms only and if it's prolapsing, then she needs to be fitted with a pessary.

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Specializes in Management, Emergency, Psych, Med Surg.

I have never seen this in 31 years of nurse (but I try to stay away from that part if I can). I am not sure how to do such a procedure. I would not do it without instruction from someone who knows how.

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