Chapter 12: Abuse and Violence

Which assessment question should the nurse ask of a client suspected of being ostracized by a school bully?

"Do you feel like a part of a group in school?"

The nurse can assess potential victims of domestic violence by asking which question?

"Has a past or current partner ever caused you to be afraid?"

A nurse is interviewing a client who is a survivor of abuse. The client is telling the nurse about how the violence occurred. Which statement would the nurse interpret as reflecting phase 3 of the cycle of violence?

"He tells me that he is sorry and that he will never hit me again."

An adolescent client has recently ended a physically and emotionally abusive intimate relationship. What nursing assessment question(s) will help identify a commonly associated comorbid mental health problem? Select all that apply.

"How much alcohol do you drink in an average week?" "Do you ever have thoughts of hurting or killing yourself?" "Are your teachers satisfied with the grades you earn in school?" "How would you alter your eating habits in order to lose weight?"

An emergency department nurse is assessing a client with traumatic injuries. To assess whether or not the client's injuries have resulted from abuse, which question would be most appropriate for the nurse to ask the client?

"It looks like someone has hurt you. Tell me about it."

A nurse is assessing a survivor of intimate partner violence. During the interview, the nurse determines that the survivor's partner is using power and control over the client through coercion and threats. Which client statement would lead the nurse to suspect this?

"My partner tells me that he or she will tell child services I'm a bad parent."

Prep UA nurse is presenting to a church group a program about domestic violence. During the presentation, a member of the audience asks the nurse to explain what "intergenerational transmission of violence" means because the person has seen that phrase used in the media. Which response by the nurse would be most appropriate?

"People who grow up in violent home situations tend to be involved in domestic violence situations as an adult."

A nurse is assessing a client in a community clinic who reports feeling anxious lately because she is considering leaving her marriage. The client describes a long history of partner abuse associated with this relationship. How should the nurse respond to this client?

"You have the right to be safe and respected."

What percentage of women can expect to be a victim of an ongoing unwanted pursuit from stalking?

12-32%

A nurse is aware of the high incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) and actively seeks opportunities to screen women for IPV. Which female client represents the best opportunity for assessing for IPV?

A client who is in the third trimester of pregnancy and who is having biweekly prenatal appointments at a clinic

Which characteristics are found in violent families? Select all that apply.

Abuse of power and control Alcohol use disorder Social isolation

A client is brought to the Emergency Department by a family member that reports being sexually assaulted while leaving work. What action by the nurse would best promote placing control back to the client?

Allow the client to make decisions regarding care whenever possible

A nurse is caring for a child who had experienced sexual abuse. Which are expected behaviors of a child who has experienced sexual abuse? Select all that apply.

Avoidance of sexually related content Secretiveness of behaviors Distorted view of sex

A 27-year-old has been brought to the emergency department by emergency medical services following a violent sexual assault that took place in the parking garage of the client's building. Which task would fall most clearly within the scope of practice of a forensic nurse?

Collecting specimens from the client for use as evidence

A psychiatric-mental health nurse is conducting a program for a women's group. When describing psychological abuse, which information would the nurse address? Select all that apply.

Criticism Insults Public ridicule Isolating a person from family

A mental health nurse is interviewing a child for suspected abuse. The parent states that the child is having disciplinary problems at school and stutters when approached. From the listed behavioral indicators, the nurse would suspect which type of abuse?

Emotional

A nurse is gathering information about a health history of a person who has experienced violence. Which are important caring behaviors a nurse should implement during the interview? Select all that apply.

Establish trustworthiness. Maintain a nonjudgmental attitude. Secure open communication.

The mental health nurse should discuss an emergency plan for leaving an abusive situation when the client is able to do which of the following? Select all that apply.

Identify safe places to go Keep emergency money available Have access to a car key or other transportation Compile a list of important phone numbers

A nurse manager is working with the nursing staff of a busy community-based walk-in clinic that provides care to a large number of survivors of domestic violence. When helping the staff provide care, which information would be most important for the nurse manager to convey to the staff? You Selected:

Importance of measuring the clients' progress in small steps

Which are forms of psychological abuse? Select all that apply.

Insulting Humiliating isolating a person from family

Which statement about intimate partner violence (IPV) is accurate?

Knowledge deficits and biases of health care professionals limit its detection.

A client comes to the clinic for a prenatal visit. While the client is in the examining room, her estranged husband appears and insists on seeing the client. The client tells the nurse that they are in the process of getting a divorce and she does not want to be around him. "He's been following me to work and at my home everyday." What should the nurse suspect?

Stalking

Which is a pattern of repeated unwanted contact, attention, and harassment that often increases in frequency?

Stalking

The nurse's suspicion that a child has been sexually abused is supported by what assessment data? Select all that apply.

The anal area is bruised The child reports "itching down there" The vulva appears edematous The urinalysis reports a bacterial infection

The psychiatric nurse recognizes that a male rape victim is less likely to report the crime due to which reason?

The belief that his masculinity will be in question

The nurse is aware that fewer than half of rapes and sexual assaults are reported. Which are some of the reasons people do not report being sexually assaulted? Select all that apply.

The client is embarrassed of the assault. They have a fear of being blamed for the incident. The perpetrator may use coercion or threats to control the victim.

A nurse is screening a new client for intimate partner violence (IPV). What aspect of this woman's current circumstances is the most significant risk factor?

The client's family lives on less than $1,000 per month.

Which would not increase the likelihood that an older adult will incur physical abuse?

The older adult is independent with activities of daily living.

A nurse is giving a talk about child abuse to a local community group. When discussing risk factors for child abusers, which would the nurse identify as the most likely profile of the perpetrator of fatal child abuse?

Unemployed young woman who dropped out of high school

Nurses who work with children should be on alert for which physical signs of child abuse?

Unexplained cuts, bruises, burns, and scars

The nurse provides care to individuals who have been sexually assaulted during their childhood. Which characteristic is most commonly noted by the nurse during an assessment of such clients?

Unusually aggressive

Which is an inaccurate picture of the cycle of abuse that occurs over time?

Violent episodes are less frequent

A young adult client female is assessed after being raped. The client reports being tied up and beaten while the perpetrator forced sexual intercourse. She recalls the perpetrator saying, "I will make you pay." What most accurately describes this category of rapist?

anger retaliation

A middle-aged client with young children has been the victim of intimate partner violence (IPV). When providing initial care to this family, the nurse should:

carefully assess the children for signs of trauma.

The nurse plans to assess a pregnant client for intimate partner violence. Which finding caused the nurse to complete this additional assessment? Select all that apply.

chronic anemia smoking cigarettes ingestion of alcohol low maternal weight gain

The school health nurse is asked to see a child who has been coming to school with no lunch for the past week. The child tells the nurse, "I don't get a lunch this week, I have been wetting the bed." The nurse identifies that this child is experiencing which type of abuse?

neglect

When assessing a 6-year-old child believed to be a victim of emotional abuse, the possibility is supported when the child is ...

observed to be anxious and rejecting adult attention.

A nurse is seeing a 3-year-old child who is brought to a pediatric clinic by the mother with concerns about toilet training. The nurse notes the child has multiple bruises of various ages on the arms, trunk, and legs. The nurse should suspect:

physical abuse.