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How do you handle these situations?

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Heart_wave_max50

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Posted about 2 years ago

 

 Just wanted to ask you nurses with more experience how you handle certain pt situations. For example, today I had a male pt who was in for multiple problems (what I call a train wreck, lol).  Anyhow, I had to apply some Nystatin medication to his genital area, which of course is never the most fun situation anyways.... Well, when I explained everything, he started wiggling his eyebrows and making suggestive noises & comments. Needless to say, it seems he enjoyed the whole thing, and that made me very uncomfortable. His wife was even in the room!!! I've encountered situations similar to this one, and it's always an awkward thing. I don't see it as a "sexual" in any way, and I'm never uncomfortable unless my pts make it obvious that they DO view it that way. To me, it's a necessary thing and I'm not embarrassed by it until I get a pt who acts like this.


So I was just wondering:  how do other nurses handle this kind of situation, what things do you say or do? 

Ashley_and_dad_max50

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Rate This | Posted about 2 years ago

 

It isn't just females.  In corrections, the male inmates would act up if they were hiding contraband and did not want a thorough pat-down or medical exam.  If available to you, we used to have fun with this (correctional facilities are worse than hospitals).  I would tell the female nurses to tell them that: "I would like another nurse look at this."  That usually brought on more of the inappropriate behavior (and thoughts of 2 nurses looking at his crotch instead of one).  Then in I came (6'3", 200 lbs and very male) and leave the female in the hallway.  My first words would be: "My collegue said that you had a problem that needed my attention."  This usually lets the air out of their balloon, especially if he could hear the female nurses snickering outside of the room.   It usually will not be a problem again with that individual.  You do not have to get nasty with them, just firm.   If you cannot do that, make a very concerned, medical-like statement to him about whether he has always had that nervous twitch in his eyebrows or if that is a new symptom the doctor should look at (that usually gets the wife snickering).  Or for the not-so-funny noises, ask him if you are hurting him, if he gives you the "no baby, you are doing great" remarks, just tell him you thought he was in pain and suggest a much more detailed internal exam by a urologist might be in order before he leaves (do not forget to explain what the dilation process is -- part of your anticipatory guidance counseling, of course). When inmates were cat-calling to visiting females, I would give them a limp-wrist and thank them.  That left them sputtering to their friends as to whom they were whistling at.   I would always try to think of something ahead of time for these situations.   And there is always: "you're just NOT my type."    They are trying to have power over you --DO NOT LET THEM.  Keep your power. Male or female, we are all professionals.  You do not have to put up with their BS.  As to your earlier comment, Yes, it is sexual-harassment,  just not to the level of throwing the handcuffs on them.


Tom, PhD, MPH, BS(N), RN-C, CHN

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Rate This | Posted about 2 years ago

 

" The professional rule of thumb ? Always bring another staff member into the room w/you , whether it be any routine matter that


   you feel you can handle or not.This is the best way to,"counteract", the He Said-She Said scenarios.Wishing you well."

Photo_on_2010-10-09_at_06

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Rate This | Posted about 2 years ago

 

 As a student nurse, I've seen this behavior in male patients toward my nursing instructors when inserting Foley catheters. It's better when a male nurse is around (usually it's procedure to have an extra staff member around preferrable the same sex as the patient to avoid any problems). To prevent suggestive comments from the patient, I noticed that the nurses would explain the procedure to me and the patient, and emphasize the pain and discomfort that could possible accompany the procedure (during and after). These topics usually gave the patient something ELSE to think about, and they pretty much forget about the fact that a woman was touching them. I've realized it really is best to remain professional and clinical when treating patients that can be, well, ....mischievous. 


hope that helps!! =)

Ashley_and_dad_max50

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Rate This | Posted about 2 years ago

 

Good Comment.


Tom, PhD, MPH, BS(N), RN-C, CHN