Sexuality Overview
1. Define sexuality from Giddens and the Yoost and Crawford book.
2. Discuss the six topics included in the sexuality concept.
a. Sexual health and development across the life span-needs to be assessed across the lifespan,
even into old age
b. Gender identity-asking what their gender identity is
c. Sexual response
d. Contraceptive options-many types, pharmacological, condoms, diaphragms, IUD’s, abstinence,
surgical
e. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or infections (STIs)-provide safe sex education to patients,
screenings
f. Factors that affect sexuality and sexual function-psychological issues-stress, anxiety, family
values, culture, religion, ego/body image etc. on Table 24.4
3. Review table 24.1 on Sexual health characteristics across the life span. Now list two ages with
characteristics and nursing implications.
a.
6-12yrs.: participation in same sex friendships, developmental of external physical
attributes, HPV vaccine 11-12, respect modesty, identify more with same-sex parent
b.
40-65yrs: perimenopause/menopause, role adjustment, stressors, physiologic
changes, empty nesters, sandwich generation
3. Identify the focus of sexuality at each age range and consider risk factors from the Giddens concept
book.
Puberty/adolescent: peer pressure, safe sex, changing bodies, increase in sex conversation
necessary/ relationships, increase in potential for sex, interpersonal violence, sexual abuse, pressure,
do you feel safe?
Young adult: relationships, intimacy v isolation, family planning, fertility/infertility
Middle-adulthood: physiological stressors, sandwich generation, role adjustment
Older Adult: functional ability (not a lack of desire typically), changes that happen, what’s normal,
what’s a concern, lubrication, secretion, testosterone decrease
4. Review box 24.2 on Gender identity terminology. Explain two of the terms below.
a. gender roles-set of behaviors of a person as either male or female and the perception of what
constitutes gender-appropriate actions
b. transsexual-person who self-identifies as a member of the opposite sex
5. Review box 24.3 on Diversity Considerations. List two considerations for each category.
Life span: sexual identity changes as a person moves through the stages of life
Gender: gender diversity frequently is noted as sexual orientation, the gender preference of a
person in relation to the person’s sexual attraction
Culture, ethnicity, and religion: most religions strictly adhere to heterosexuality
Disability: resulting from illnesses, injury, or surgery may alter the sexual experience, medication
side-effects (anti-depressants, anti-hypertensives)
6. Review table 24.2 then state two methods with the function included.
a. hysterectomy, abstinence
b. male/female condom-reduce chance of contraception
7. Review table 24.3 on common sexually transmitted diseases, then expand on one disease related to
the symptoms, transmission, and prevention.
a. Gonorrhea
a. Symptoms: may be asymptomatic; genital discharge, burning, and pain
b. Transmission: Contact w/ mouth, penis, vagina, or anus
c. Prevention: Abstinence, monogamous relationship w/uninfected partner, consistent &
proper use of latex male condoms
8. Review table 24.4 factors affecting sexuality and expand one area related to factor, sexual healthrelated characteristics, and impact/nursing implications
a. Culture and religion: culture and religious beliefs influence family structure, roles within the
family, who the dominant figure is within that structure, and how and whether sexuality is
displayed, guilt and resentment may result from cultural or religious constraints/be
knowledgeable about cultural and religious variances and expressions of sexuality, remain
nonjudgmental, teach this information to patients and families
9. Review table factors affecting sexual function and list one to include the factor category, influences,
and outcomes.
a. Physical: minor or chronic illnesses, medications (number or combination), fatigue, pain, or
discomfort as a result of sex; outcomes: decreased intimacy, personal stress and/or stress with
partner, reduction in the frequency of sexual relations; medications (anti-hypertensives, opioids,
anti-depressants, anticonvulsants), marijuana, alcohol
10. Nursing process steps, how would you begin? (Consider what guides your steps and attitudes).
11. Follow one nursing diagnosis from your book to include diagnosis, planning, and implementation
steps.
a. Diagnosis
b. Planning
GoalsInterventionsc. Nursing considerations