The nurse is completing a bed bath for a dependent adult male client.

The nurse is completing a bed bath for a dependent adult male client. During the perineal care, the client has an erection. The nurse should:

1. Continue with the perineal care
2. Tell the client it’s okay and just to relax
3. Ask the client to try and do the care as well as he can
4. Defer the care until a little later in the bath

ANSWER

ANS: 4
If the client has an erection during perineal care, the nurse should defer the procedure until later. The nurse should not continue with the perineal care at this time. Telling the client it’s okay may increase the client’s embarrassment. If the client is dependent in his care, the nurse should not ask the client to perform care he is unable to do. The nurse should maintain a professional attitude.