Sexual Function: CHAPTER 26

Hi, students.

Professor Vernon Briggs here,

back for another lecture in this chapter in

chapter 26 we're going to cover sexual functioning.

So let's talk about those functional consequences that affect

sexual wellness.

Um, it does affect both men and women with men.

Um, just as with women men, um, have, uh,

their reproductive function really depends on those hormones.

Okay,

We tend to see production of viable sperm

gradually diminishing in the males as they age.

They often voiced complaints of erectile dysfunction, uh,

slower response to sexual stimulation as well as, um, less intensity and shorter,

um, in duration with their sexual responses.

Um, it does come in varying degrees with men.

Keep in mind that, you know,

some never lose their reproductive abilities where others do.

Um, a mail client many times reports that slower erectile Penis response, um,

as well, you know,

as we mentioned that difficulty re gaining an erection if it's lost.

Women, um, often voice occasional disparate NIA, which is painful intercourse

and a decreased frequency in their orgasm.

Women will also say my press just they don't feel as

engorged as they did when I was younger during sexual intercourse

and they also complain of diminished vaginal lubrication.

So as far as nurses, what can we do?

Well, first, it starts with us doing a self assessment.

We have to check ourselves a personal

attitude assessment about sexuality and ageing.

Um, is the nurses prerequisite to discussing sexual function with older adult?

Okay, this will really help you as the nurse to increase your comfort.

Um, with the openness and the sensitivity about the issues that are related, um,

to sexual wellness and our older adult population,

um, the next step is really to obtain that permission from the individual to, um,

discuss the sexual relations topic with that.

But first and foremost,

make sure you do your own self assessment

before discussing those issues with your clients.

So nursing interventions, um, that we want to utilise to help, um,

sexual health of our patients.

Well,

there's some guidelines that we have to consider

when assessing sexual function and are older adults.

Um, we have to think about, uh, the

interview and the environment.

So make sure if you are going to be

asking these questions during your interview with the client,

you provide a private environment meaning close the door don't come in and say,

Mr Jones, I'm here to ask you some sexual health questions,

and then you have the door wide open.

Um, you know, also look at it.

As you know, is there any education needed on safe sex practises?

Just because they're 85

not 18 doesn't mean they don't need

education on safe sex practises.

And then, lastly,

be non judgmental. That is so, so important.

Providing that private environment being non

judgmental and offering that education piece

very, very important.

So what about assessing those risk factors? Okay.

A common risk factor that we see impacting sexual health is arthritis.

Okay. You know, these patients will complain of pain, fatigue, joint limitations.

Um, they'll say, you know, I have stiff joints. I'm so tired.

My joints hurt sometimes, you know, should I have foreplay? Yes or no?

What are the answers to these questions? How do we address these?

So if you're caring for a client in this situation,

we have to think about these areas.

Um and we have to get creative and think outside the box. Okay.

So

if your patient has, um, you know, maybe pain or discomfort, you know, um,

we want to help improve their comfort,

encourage them to experiment with different positions.

Use pillows for comfort and support during their sexual relations.

Um, if they're tired,

have them engage in sexual activity when they feel less fatigue and most relaxed.

Um, if they have stiff joints or limitations and their joints, um,

maybe their ability to massage their partner may be limited

so we can encourage the use of a vibrator.

Uh, foreplay, yes or no? What do you guys think?

Should we have them do this?

Um,

absolutely.

Um, it is important to, uh, spend that time, um,

conducting that foreplay before jumping right into sexual intercourse.

All right, so let's check your knowledge on this topic and see where we're at.

So the question is,

is it important for the nurse to identify functional consequences

for response to sexual stimulation

when caring for an order? A client?

So, yes, it is important.

So which of the following is a good example of the nurse?

Um, you know, she's assessing the client. What's an example?

So a mail client reported no difficulty

regaining an erection.

It's lost

a female client reporting no complaints

of vaginal lubrication

a female client reporting breast feeling not as engorged.

A male client who reports a more firm erection.

Okay, so which of these is, um,

identified as a functional consequence for response to sexual stimulation?

Okay, so let's take a look at

the correct answer.

It is the female client who reports breast feeling not as engorged.

So I want to go back and look at the other options.

The mail client reporting no difficulty re gaining an erection have lost.

This is wrong because males do report

difficulty re gaining an erection after it has been lost.

A female client does voice complaints of vaginal lubrication,

so that answer is wrong.

And then, lastly, a mail client who reports a more

firm erection

that is wrong. They do not report a more firm erection.

Okay,

so I want you guys to keep these in mind. This is a very important information.

In fact, take a look at your text. They do a wonderful job on page 5 48.

and, uh, in a little table at the bottom about this topic,

I just want you to kind of go through both the male and female side.

So you're familiar with both, Um, and as always, you know,

Please don't hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions at all.

Thank you so much.

Sexual Function: CHAPTER 26

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