ASSESSING THE
MALE
GENITOURINARY
SYSTEM
Outcomes
 Identify pertinent male
genitourinary history questions.
 Obtain a male genitourinary
history.
 Perform a male genitourinary
physical assessment.
(Continued)
Outcomes
Document pertinent male
genitourinary assessment findings.
Identify actual/potential health
problems stated as nursing diagnosis.
Differentiate between normal and
abnormal findings.
(Continued)
Structures
 Scrotum
 Spermatic cord
 Vas deferens
 Epididymis
 Ureter
 Penis & glans
 Bulbourethral
gland
 Testes
 Seminal vesicle
 Prostate
 Kidney
 Bladder
 Inguinal Area
 Urethra & meatus
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Scrotum:
Sac that contains testes
Testes:
Produces sperm and testosterone
Vas deferens:
Duct from epididymis to ejaculatory
duct
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Spermatic cord:
Protective sheath around the vas
deferens
Seminal vesicles:
Produce 70% of semen
Bulbourethral gland:
Secretes alkaline substance to
neutralize vaginal secretions
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Prostate:
Produces 20% of semen
Epididymis:
Stores sperm until it is mature
Kidney:
Filters blood and removes wastes
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Ureter:
Tube connecting kidney to bladder
Bladder:
Hollow, muscular structure, holds
urine
Urethra:
Passageway for urine
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Penis:
Male sex organ and urine
elimination
Glans penis:
Important for sexual arousal
(Continued)
Functions
What are the functions of…
Inguinal area:
Canal for vas deferens from scrotum
through the abdominal muscles,
inguinal lymph nodes
Male Reproductive
Organs
Male Development
History
What can the history tell you about
the male genitourinary system?
Biographical data
Current health status
Past health history
Family history
Review of systems
Psychosocial history
Symptoms
What symptoms would signal a
problem with the male genitourinary
system?
Genital pain
Lesions
Genital swelling
Penile discharge
Urinary symptoms
Physical Assessment
Anatomical landmarks: external--note
position of structures; internal-visualize underlying structures
Approach: inspection, palpation
Position: standing or supine, leaning
over table or Sim’s position
(Continued)
Physical Assessment
Tools: gloves, lubricant, pen light, slides
& swabs for specimen collection, and
stethoscope
General survey and head-to-toe scan
Inspection
Penis: condition of skin, color, lesions,
discharge, size, position of urinary
meatus, foreskin
Scrotum: size and position, color, hair
distribution, lesions, swelling, pediculosis
Inguinal area: condition of skin, bulges
Rectal area: condition of skin, lesions,
hemorrhoids, polyps, fissures, bleeding
Palpation
Penis: consistency, tenderness, masses,
discharge
Scrotum & testes: size, shape,
symmetry, mobility, tenderness,
masses
Epididymis: swelling, tenderness,
nodules
Palpation
Inguinal area: hernias, lymph nodes,
tenderness
Anus & rectum: sphincter tone, tenderness,
lesions, masses, hemorrhoids, polyps, test
any stool for occult blood
Prostate: size, shape, symmetry, mobility,
consistency, nodules, tenderness, grade
size
Auscultation
Inguinal area: bowel sounds
Nursing Diagnosis
What actual or
potential
problems can
you identify for
Mr. Richards?