Exam 2 - Male GU Exam Flashcards
Male GU: PMHx Screening - Whats in it?
Age appropriate male GU screening Date of last prostate exam Date of last PSA and result if known Date of last testicular exam Gardasil? Zostavax?
What is in the male GU ROS?
Frequency of urination, polyuria, nocturia, burning or pain on urination, hematuria, urgency, reduced caliber or force of stream, hesitancy, incontinence, urinary retention, stones.
Hernias, penile discharge or lesions, testicular pain or masses, STIs and their treatments, exposure to HIV, precautions against HIV and STIs.
Sexual interest, orientation, function, satisfaction/problems, method of contraception.
What’s in a MALE sexual history?
Sexual interest, orientation, and function
Age of first coitus
Number of sexual partners
Satisfaction, problems, hematospermia
Open ended questions
“Please tell me about your sexual partner(s)”
Abuse
“Have you ever been forced to do something sexual against your will?”
Contraception/protection
Privacy
Why is it common to have hesitant male patients in GU exams?
They do not feel comfortable expressing GU pain, symptoms, sexual history, sexual dysfunction
Anxiety is often high and unexpressed
- -Anticipation of pain/discomfort
- -Lack of knowledge about procedures
- -Previous experience with the GU exam
- -“Urban legends” and myths run rampant
Embarrassment can be a significant barrier
Gender and age may affect interaction
Males have been found to be more reluctant to seek preventive healthcare and are less likely to acknowledge the need to assistance than are females – Where do males access data regarding their health?
- -Media sources, including the internet
- -Physician/clinician
- -Family members
- -Health behaviors often neglected
Male GU Exam: Why is it important to be professional during this exam?
Professionalism dispels embarrassment; competence helps with patient trust
Maintaining a professional demeanor eases tension in the patient and the clinician.
Confidence, or lack thereof, is quickly felt by the patient and can create high anxiety.
Acknowledge patient’s bodily responses with a matter-of-fact manner.
Will a male experience erection during the GU exam?
Medical students’ anxiety about the patient having an erection during the exam should be openly addressed.
“Although possible, it is rare for a male to become sexually excited, because he will usually be nervous in the circumstances. If the examination is performed in an objective manner, it should not be a source of stimulation to the patient.” (Swartz, 1998. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis, p. 401).
What should you do if a young male experiences erection during this exam?
The Bates text provides practical advice:
“A male patient may occasionally have an erection. If so, you should explain to him that this is a normal response, finish your examination, and proceed with an unruffled demeanor.”
Make the patient feel at ease with bodily responses that may not be under voluntary control
Especially in the young male patient
In one focus group participant’s words:
“I don’t know if I want my doctor to be too joking about it [GU exam] because a lot of times, people are kidding too much if they’re uncomfortable…not professional….and that would make me nervous.”
How to approach male GU exam?
Relationship building is essential
Ask open-ended questions
“They [physicians] ask questions in a certain way that you can only answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ and that’s it. You can’t elaborate.”
Maintain non-judgmental, respectful attitude
Display tact, sensitivity, and humor when appropriate
Explain what you are doing as you do it
“Most doctors don’t take the time to explain stuff….they do it [the GU exam], and they leave like they have more important stuff to do.”
Do not rush through the exam
“Many times, when the doctor is in a rush, I hesitate to say something because he’s in a rush.”
When completing a male GU exam, what is important to ask?
What exams do you need to ask this for?
Ask permission before proceeding
Patient consent is tremendously essential for invasive procedures!
**Consent needed for rectal exam, a testicular exam, retracting foreskin
What affects patient attitude?
Cultural or religious beliefs
Previous positive or negative experiences (GU exam)
What their friends tell them about this type of exam
More protocols of GU exam:
Warn the patient to expect touching
Minimize physical and emotional discomfort
Maintain professional rapport at all times
Calm the patient’s anxiety
Be courteous and respectful always
Say “please” when asking patient’s compliance
The line that drives ALL patients nuts is “can you do this for me?”
The patient is doing something to aid you in assessment
The patient is not doing something for you- that comes off as condescending
Rather, state, “can you please move your arm to the side?”
How do you incorporate patient sensitivity in the GU exam?
Give the patient privacy to remove clothing and change into a gown
Use a drape to limit exposure
Expose only the area to examine, then recover when finished
Allow the patient to cover up completely when the exam is finished
Offer a tissue for removing KY jelly after the exam is completed
What anatomy is reviewed in male GU exam? What parts?
Review anatomy and physiology
>Penis (foreskin (prepuce), glans, urethral meatus);
>Scrotum (testis, epididymis, spermatic cord); > Inguinal area (hernias, lymph nodes);
>Anus –» Rectum; Prostate
What’re you looking for in a male GU exam?
Practice a focused exam technique
>Note any external abnormalities
>Screening opportunity for testicular cancer
>Detection of hernias, swelling, masses
Relate findings and discuss results with the patient immediately after exam
Before beginning a GU exam?
Explain the procedure to the patient
Use models or diagrams to illustrate
Address patient’s concerns about pain
Chaperone in exam room ALWAYS advisable
A must for opposing genders
Always wear gloves
Perform this exam with proper lighting
When is a chaperone required?
When exams are performed on opposite genders.
Whats included in PATIENT POSITIONING inspection portion of male GU exam?
Patient positioning
Have the patient stand in front of you and raise his gown to level of the umbilicus.
Note bulges or scars in the inguinal region consistent with herniation.
Look for obvious penile or scrotal abnormalities.
Note any skin abnormalities on the penis, scrotum or surrounding areas.
Whats included in PENILE inspection portion of male GU exam?
Retract foreskin, note +/-circumcision
Inspect glans, noting: Inflammation >Ulcers >Nodules >Poor hygiene
Return the foreskin to its normal position Note location of urethral meatus >Inspect for discharge Palpate the shaft of the penis for underlying firm areas >Fibrosis or plaque Examine the base of the penis >Note vesicles, ulcers, inflammation >Tanner stage
Whats included in the SCROTUM inspection portion of male GU exam?
Skin of scrotum >Lesions, inflammation, discoloration >Contours of scrotum >Rashes, inflammation >Swellings or bulges >“Bag of worms”
Whats included in the TESTICLES inspection portion of male GU exam?
Testicles?
Epididymis?
Spermatic cord?
Testicles
>Size, shape, consistency, tenderness
>Undescended testis
>Masses
Epididymis
>Tenderness, swelling, masses
Spermatic cord
>Tenderness, swelling, masses
Testicular palpation - What do you palpate? What are you looking for?
Gently palpate the tissue of the testes between your thumb and forefinger; each side should feel the same.
Palpate from the epididymis to superficial inguinal ring
If a testicle is missing, ask the patient why
Surgically absent? Why? Document.
Congenitally absent? Document.
Make note of any swelling, erythema, pain, nodule