UTI and penile piercing

[schaviano]

Hey guys question. If I get a patient with UTI and needs foley catheter but has member pierced do we get piercing out ? Does patient get it out or we insert catheter with piercing in place? Thanks

[nurseraphael]

It Really depends on the location of the piercing in relation to the urinary meatus. I would not remove the piercing if it does not appear to be infected and the catheter insertion will not be hindered, you may also want to consider the need for catheter care. I may even consult the physician as to his/her opinion. A UTI is may have its origin at the meatus but the problem is not really at the tip - it is further up the tract. removal of the the piercing may in fact cause further infection by leaving the piercing unable to be cleansed. at least with a ring or bar in place the area can be cleaned and sanitized with each shift's catheter care.

Some piercing are in fact placed through the meatus at the tip passing through both sides of the meatus in the glans, however a majority of penile piercing are along the shaft on the underside . . . "for her pleasure"

the former i would remove because this would further trauma to the site due to pressure.

as to whom removes it? I would ask the patient what they want done . . .

we remove all piercings we can find on trauma call in the pre-hospital setting because the may need to go to MRI or CT - have had to remove clitoral piercings on a teen from an MVA - that's uncomfortable - especially with mom riding up in front of the rig....

[tyvin, BSN, RN]

I would definitely have them take it off and keep it until the hospital stay is over. How are you suppose to do foley care with a ring or stud earring in the way? It's only common sense to not let them wear it IMO.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

never dealt with that. I'd probably ask that person to remove their "jewelry" since I'm not familiar with how you would avoid that foreign body. Would that pierce through the urethra??? Gawwwd!

[schaviano]

Thank you guys . And yes I was referring to the one that goes into the urethra.

[MassED, BSN, RN]

Thank you guys . And yes I was referring to the one that goes into the urethra.

yikes.

[OttawaRPN]

Some piercing are in fact placed through the meatus at the tip passing through both sides of the meatus in the glans, however a majority of penile piercing are along the shaft on the underside . . . "for her pleasure" .

"Pierced for her pleasure, not yours" should be the advertising logo for those tat and pierce shops.....

:rckn:

[roser13, ASN, RN]

"Some piercing are in fact placed through the meatus at the tip passing through both sides of the meatus in the glans, however a majority of penile piercing are along the shaft on the underside . . . "for her pleasure"

Ye gads....thanks but no thanks.

[tencat]

OUCH! And I'm not a guy.....um...I guess I would ask him to remove it as he needs a foley, it will interfere for sure. I don't see how you could insert the catheter without causing some damage if the piercing is in when you do.

[OutlawNurse86, BSN, RN]

I can't even read this thread....Just reading the title makes me want to hide in the corner curled up in the fetal position whimpering....

I hope any nurse that takes care of a patient with this kind of piercing has good assessment skills...

"Mhhmmm this guy is knocked out, he probably won't have any objections to that MRI..."

[Scarlette Wings]

i have been reading this thread and thinking several things. humor abounds in my brain.

1. i am glad that i have not run into this particular method of self expression. i love tattoos but somehow draw a personal limit on punching holes in any part of the body that already has issues with cleanliness. i have smelled said body parts in the er and ltc and these delicate body parts do have to be cleaned on a regular basis or to me they smell like tuna left out in the sun.

and 2nd. if something is done for "her pleasure" why is it i have never seen or read any polls done asking us "hers" what we would like?

i don't think that i would like any foreign objects that i could not vouch for being well cleaned anywhere near me. all i can think of is how many organisms would hide in such crevices.

[txredheadnurse, BSN, RN]

I have cared for 1 person who had a Prince Albert (PA) penile piercing and Foley cath. We didn't remove the piercing to place the cath because the piercing did not intrude into the urethra that much. There are other penile piercings that do complete intersect the urethra so those would have to be removed.

And believe me due to my wide variety of work environments I have seen body parts pierced in the most creative ways imaginable.....as well as some truly odd locations lol. Body modifications are pretty prevalent anymore so I asked a professional body piercer about some of the more unusual ones and his opinion about possible health problems arising from piercings in the genital region. Interesting discussion :-)