CH. 8
A client arrives at the emergency department stating that she was raped, but she felt so "dirty" that she went home and showered. She states that she has on clean clothes but has her other clothes in a bag. What will the nurse tell the client?
"I understand that was important to you. We will see what we can get from your clothes, and give them to the authorities."
The nurse is planning a community education presentation on battering. Which statement about battering should the nurse include?
Battered women are at greatest risk for severe violence when they leave the batterer.
When a woman seeks care for an injury, the nurse should be alert to which clues of abuse?
Defensive Injuries Lack of eye contact Vague complaints without accompanying pathology
What is the most important aspect of care for the nurse to remember when screening a woman for partner abuse?
Ensuring privacy and confidentiality
The nurse is caring for a battered woman in the emergency department. Which nursing guidelines are used in the care of this client?
Letting the woman tell her story at her own pace Anticipating ambivalence toward the batterer Acknowledging the woman's feelings as reasonable
The nurse suspects that a client has been physically abused, but the woman refuses to report the abuse to the police. Which statement by the client suggests to the nurse that the relationship might be in the "honeymoon period" of the cycle of violence?
My boyfriend says he will never hurt me again
Vicarious trauma is a phenomenon nurses might experience. What are the signs indicating this problem that the nurse should be aware of?
Reduced sense of accomplishment Questioning of personal belief system
The client has been a victim of a violent, sadistic rape. She is crying, and asks the nurse "Why would someone do something like that?" The nurse should explain that which of the following is the primary purpose of sadistic rape?
take pleasure from the victim's struggle and pain
The nurse is presenting a session on intimate partner violence. Which statement by a client indicates a need for further education?
"Everyone experiences anger and hitting in a relationship."
A woman is seen in the prenatal clinic. The nurse notices that the woman has a swollen eye and a bruise on her cheek. Which statement is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
Women who are abused often have injuries like yours."
A woman is seen in the prenatal clinic. The nurse notices that the woman has a swollen eye and a bruise on her cheek. Which statement is most appropriate for the nurse to make?
"Women who are abused often have injuries like yours."
The nurse is addressing a college class on the topic of domestic violence. Which information would the nurse be sure to convey to her students?
The American Nurses Association advocates client advocacy for all nurses to help identify and prevent violence against women.
The nurse working in the emergency department knows that many batterers have feelings of ambivalence. In what way might this be evident?
The abuser alternates episodes of unmerciful beatings with periods of remorse and loving attention.
The client with limited English language skills has a black eye, and bruises across her face and arms. The client's husband has been acting as an interpreter for her, and answers all of the questions the nurse asks, often without talking to his wife first. The nurse suspects the client has been a victim of domestic abuse. What should the nurse do next?
Ask the husband to step out of the room, and obtain an interpreter
A home health nurse is making a home visit to a new mother who is diabetic and requires some follow-up to make sure her baby is doing well and that her diabetes is in control while she is breastfeeding. The client meets her at the door, crying, with bruises on her face and legs. The nurse knows the client has been in a questionable relationship. What is the first responsibility of the nurse for this client at this time?
Assist in getting the client and her baby to a safe situation.
Among women who have been sexually assaulted, which of the following are the most frequently diagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
Bacterial vaginosis Chlamydia Gonorrhea
A nurse in the emergency department recognizes in the husband of a client one of which of the following common characteristics of batterers?
Emotionally immature Tend to express their overwhelming feelings of inadequacy through violence Feelings of insecurity and inferiority
The nurse working in the emergency department of a hospital is caring for a woman whom the nurse suspects is the victim of domestic violence. The nurse knows that which of the following are contributing factors to domestic violence?
Experiencing or witnessing abuse as a child Strong patriarchal family traditions Linking masculinity to male honor
The nurse suspects that a pregnant client might be experiencing abuse when the client does which of the following?
Gives an inappropriate explanation for the injuries Hesitates in providing detailed information about the injury Allows her partner to answer the nurse's questions Frequently calls to change appointment times
The nurse is conducting a rape exam on a client in the emergency department after a sexual assault. What specimens will the nurse collect?
Swabs of body stains and secretions Samples of pubic hair Samples of head hair
The nurse has been talking to a woman about the reorganization phase following a rape. Which response would indicate that the client understands this phase?
"During this time, I will repeatedly replay the role of the victim until I come to terms with the experience."
A client comes to the reproductive health clinic and reports that she woke up in a strange room this morning, her perineal area is sore, and she can't clearly remember what happened the previous evening. The client says that she is afraid that she was a victim of a drug-facilitated sexual assault. Which statement should the nurse include when discussing this possibility with the client?
"Some men use drugs mixed into a drink to subdue a potential victim prior to a rape."
The nurse working in the emergency department is admitting a woman who has been battered for a second time, and recognizes that the woman is again in the cycle of violence. The nurse knows that which of the following are characteristics of the phases of the cycle of violence?
Batterer demonstrates power and control Active battering from some event A loving, contrite period
The nurse at a shelter is counseling a group of battered women. What will the nurse will emphasize?
Battering will not stop or decrease if the woman becomes pregnant
When a woman who has been raped is admitted to the emergency department, the nurse caring for the woman knows that which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
Creating a safe, secure environment for her
When a woman who has been raped is admitted to the emergency department, the nurse caring for the woman knows that which of the following is the priority nursing intervention?
Creating a safe, secure environment for her
A woman with multiple bruises on her face and arms is seen in the emergency department. Her significant other is with her. When asked about her injuries, the woman states, "I ran into a door." Which action by the nurse is of highest priority?
Interview the woman in private
The nurse in the emergency department is caring for a pregnant woman who presents with bruised breasts and abdomen. When asked how this happened, she states she fell down the stairs. The husband stays very close to his wife and does most of the talking. Of what is the nurse aware?
The husband could have battered her and possibly caused her to fall down the stairs.
The nurse is teaching an in-service educational presentation about working with battered women. The nurse should explain that it is often frustrating for nurses to work with battered women for which reasons?
These women might return to the abusive situation. Women often believe that they are the cause of the abuse.
A client arrives at the emergency department stating that she was raped, but she felt so "dirty" that she went home and showered. She states that she has on clean clothes but has her other clothes in a bag. What will the nurse tell the client?
"I understand that was important to you. We will see what we can get from your clothes, and give them to the authorities."
The emergency department nurse is admitting a client who has been sexually assaulted. The nurse is explaining how the physical evidence will be collected. Which statement by the client indicates that teaching has been effective?
"The evidence you collect might be able to identify the rapist."
The nurse is interviewing a client who has admitted to being a victim of domestic violence. What is the most typical description of how the domestic violence developed in a relationship?
"I don't know when it started, really. It was gradual. First, just yelling, blaming, and shoving. Then the beatings started; and now they're more frequent."
The nurse is addressing a college class on the topic of domestic violence. Which information would the nurse be sure to convey to her students?
The American Nurses Association advocates client advocacy for all nurses to help identify and prevent violence against women
The nurse is caring for an abused mother in the postpartum department. The client is afraid to go home, but has no money to do anything else. What can the nurse do to assist this individual and her baby?
Work with community services to have the client and her baby go to a safe place, complete paperwork to obtain financial assistance, and obtain some temporary assistance.
A woman has come to the emergency department with multiple bruises over her body and a small laceration over her upper lip. She says she fell down the stairs while doing her housework. Which observation would most likely cause the nurse to suspect that she has been a victim of battering?
the client is hesitant to provide details about how the injuries occurred.