FUNDAMENTALS OF NURSING

• Sexuality


  State of well-being in relation to sexuality across the life span that involves physical, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions. Includes the ability to understand the benefits, risks and responsibilities of sexual behavior.
• Components of sexual health

  • Sexual self-concept
  • Body image
  • Gender identity
  • Gender-role behavior
  • Androgyny
• Sexual self-concept


  How one values oneself as a sexual being which determines with whom one will have sex, the kinds of people a person is attracted to, and how one expresses sexuality
• Body image


  People who feel good about their bodies are likely to be comfortable with and enjoy sexual activity. With poor body image, they may respond negatively to sexual arousal.
• Gender identity


  One's self image as a female or male
• Gender-role behavior


  The outward expression of a person's sense of maleness or femaleness as well as the expression of what is perceived as gender appropriate behavior. Boys-masculine, girls-feminine.
• Androgyny


  Flexibility in gender roles. Should not be limited to one specific gender or the other.
• Varieties of sexuality


  • Sexual orientation
  • Gender identity
  • Erotic
• Sexual orientation


  • Homosexuality
  • Bisexuals
  • Transgender
  • Queer
  • Questioning
• Homosexuality


  Same sex orientation - lesbians and gays
• Bisexuals


  Individuals attracted to people of both genders
• Transgender


  Someone who identifies with a different gender than their anatomic designation
• Queer


  Someone who rejects gender stereotypes
• Questioning


  Those who have not decided on their orientation
• Gender identity


  • Intersex
  • Transgenderism
• Intersex


  A case in which there are contradictions among chromosomal sex, gonadal, internal, and external genital appearance. Some usually associated with males, some with females.
• Transgenderism


  • Male-to-female trans (MTF)
  • Female-to-male trans (FTM)
• Dysphoria/Gender identity disorder


  Strong feelings of discomfort with one's assigned gender, experienced from early childhood
• Cross dresser


  Males who express feminine side, females who express masculine side
• Erotic


  • Oral-genital sex
  • Anal stimulation
  • Genital intercourse
• Oral-genital sex


  Cunnilingus, fellatio. Oral-genital sex is not free from the transmission of STIs, safe sex must be practiced.
• Anal stimulation


  Source of sexual pleasure because the anus has a rich nerve supply. Stimulation may be applied with finger or sex toys. It requires relaxation and lubrication.
• Genital intercourse


  A common form of sexual activity for heterosexual couples. Penile-vaginal intercourse (coitus) can be both physically and emotionally satisfying. Various positions are used. Anal intercourse - penis is inserted into the anus, practiced by both gay and heterosexual couples.
• Factors influencing sexuality


  • Family
  • Culture
  • Religion
  • Personal expectations and ethics
• Family


  Role models when it comes to sexuality
• Culture


  Marriage before sex, premarital, extramarital sex and homosexuality may be restrictive or permissive. Polygamy or monogamy may be the norm. Female circumcision - females genital cutting is a practice in parts of Africa.
• Religion


  Holds virginity before marriage to be the rule and does not judge
• Personal expectations and ethics

  One should assess his/her personal sexual values
• Sexual response cycle


  • Desire phase
  • Excitement phase/plateau
  • Orgasmic phase
  • Resolution phase
• Desire phase


  Experiences sexual fantasy, thoughts - longing for intimacy with partner, feelings of attraction, longing and anticipation, can be triggered by various factors: physical attraction, emotional connection, environmental cues
• Excitement phase/plateau


  Characterized by physical arousal, heightened sensitivity and continuous reaches plateau. BP, PR, genital erection increase.
• Orgasmic phase


  Intense or climactic physical and emotional pleasure. Ejaculation phase.
• Resolution phase


  Period of return to the unaroused state, may last 10-15 mins after orgasm or longer. Everything regulates.
• Altered sexual function


  • Sexual desire disorders
  • Sexual arousal disorder
  • Orgasmic disorder
  • Sexual pain disorders
• Sexual desire disorders


  • Hypoactive sexual desire disorder
  • Sexual aversion disorder
• Hypoactive sexual desire disorder

  Persistent or recurrent lack of sexual desire/interest. Low libido.
• Sexual aversion disorder


  Severe distaste for sexual activity, characterized by strong avoidance of sexual
• Sexual arousal disorder


  • Female sexual arousal disorder
  • Male erectile disorder/erectile dysfunction
• Female sexual arousal disorder


  Inability to attain/maintain sufficient sexual arousal
• Male erectile disorder/erectile dysfunction


  Consistent inability to achieve/maintain an erection