Circumcision
Igor Kabanov
Seneca College School of Applied
Arts and Health Sciences
NUR220 KNN: CCC:
Gerontology/Maternal Infant Settings
Pract.
Tashane Dallas
February 16, 2022
Definition and reasoning
Circumcision is the removal of all or part of the foreskin (skin that covers the head of the penis).
Circumcision can be performed due to multiple reasons:
1.
Medical
Circumcision is the way to treat phimosis (this condition makes retraction of the foreskin from the
head complicated or impossible)
2.
Cultural
Jewish and Muslim men are commonly circumcised.
3.
Personal choice
Circumcision is not mandatory, yet many parents
choose to circumcise their children due to various
health benefits.
Advantages
Easier hygiene. It is easier to wash circumcised penis, however it is not
mandatory to be circumcised for proper hygiene
Decreased UTI rate in first year of life
Reduced risk for STI’s and penile cancer
Disadvantages
1. Possible complications: bleeding, infection,
scarring.
2. Circumcision is painful, and the pain persists
afterwards during healing process for up to 2 weeks.
1
2
Assess for bleeding every
15 to 30 minutes for the
first hour, then every hourly
for next 4 to 6 hours.
Monitor newborn’s urinary
output, noting time and
amount of the first voiding
after circumcision.
Nursing interventions
3
Provide education for
parents regarding care of
the circumcised newborn.
Education for parents
Ensure
Ensure proper hygiene: change the diaper every 4 hours, wash the penis with warm water (no soap until healed), apply petrolatum
Check
Check that newborn urinates properly.
Check
Check for bleeding with each diaper change.
Check
Check for infection signs: redness, swelling, discharge. Note that penis normally will be dark red after circumcision and then cover with
yellow exudate for 2-3 days.
Provide
Provide comfort: handle gently, provide acetaminophen if ordered by health care provider, provide alternative comfort measures such as
skin-to-skin contact, cuddling, or rocking to help with pain management.
References
Dimes, J. (2021, February 5). [Comparison between
circumstanced and uncircumcised penis]. BabyCenter.
https://www.babycenter.com/ims/2020/01/bccircumcision-logo-updated2020_wide.jpg.pagespeed.ce.Ggz4Bq6Ubl.jpg
Keenan-Lindsay, L., Sams, C., Low, D. (2021). Perry’s
Maternal Child Nursing Care in Canada (3rd Edition).
Elsevier.
Mayo Clinic. (2022, January 13). Circumcision (male).
https://www.mayoclinic.org/testsprocedures/circumcision/about/pac-20393550