Ch 9: Violence and Abuse

The nursing student is studying violence and abuse against the older woman. While researching it, she learns that laws require health care professionals to report elder or vulnerable person abuse. How many states currently have these laws? A) 50 B) 40 C) 32 D) 52

A) 50 All fifty states have laws requiring health care professionals to report elder or vulnerable person abuse.

What are the best ways to prevent abuse in a community? Select all that apply. A) Help parents and caregivers find local support in their community. B) Develop and teach high school courses on parenting and normal child growth and development. C) Promote activities that encourage self-esteem in young adults. D) Role-model for caregivers caring behaviors with children. E) Educate those who were abused as children, and offer them professional help to break the pattern of violence.

A) Help parents and caregivers find local support in their community. B) Develop and teach high school courses on parenting and normal child growth and development. C) Promote activities that encourage self-esteem in young adults. D) Role-model for caregivers caring behaviors with children. E) Educate those who were abused as children, and offer them professional help to break the pattern of violence. All the actions listed are ways to reduce the risk of abuse in a community.

A nurse is conducting a discussion group at a local women's health center about violence and women. The nurse would include that women are at a higher risk for violence at which time? A) during pregnancy B) during winter C) if the leave the abuser D) on paydays

A) during pregnancy Women are at a higher risk for violence during pregnancy. Recent research findings indicate that having children does not protect women. They are more vulnerable during this time, and the abusers take advantage of it.

When a pregnant client is abused during her pregnancy, what complication is likely to occur after birth due to the abuse? A) postpartum depression B) edema C) schizophrenia D) low birth weight

A) postpartum depression Several studies have confirmed the relationship between abuse and poor mental health, especially depression. For the pregnant woman, this most often manifests itself as postpartum depression.

Which statement is false regarding screening for intimate partner violence in women? A) Although women who are abused may exhibit certain behavior patterns, all women should be screened for intimate partner violence. B) Women tend to fit a profile of abuse, and victims tend to share similar physical characteristics. C) An elderly female may be a victim of intimate partner violence. D) Screening should be routinely done at every visit.

B) Women tend to fit a profile of abuse, and victims tend to share similar physical characteristics. Women do not typically fit a physical profile, and any woman can be a victim of abuse. Therefore, all women, even elderly women, should be screened at every visit.

When teaching a group of young adult women about the cycle of violence, the nurse would describe which behavior as eventually disappearing as the violence becomes accelerated over time? A) excessive hostility and friction B) loss of control C) denial of the seriousness of the injuries D) apologies for the pain and abuse

D) apologies for the pain and abuse As the violence increases in frequency and severity over time, the honeymoon phase gradually shortens and eventually disappears altogether. The abuser no longer feels the need to apologize and indulge in a honeymoon phase as the woman becomes increasingly disempowered by the relationship.

Which occurrence is a biologic indicator of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)? A) memory difficulties B) a feeling of unreality about oneself C) flashbacks D) auditory hallucinations

C) flashbacks Biologic indicators, such as elevated pulse and blood pressure, sleep and appetite disturbances, exaggerated startle responses, flashbacks, and nightmares, may suggest PTSD or depression. Signs and symptoms of dissociation include memory difficulties, a feeling of unreality about oneself or events, a feeling that a familiar place is strange and unfamiliar, auditory and visual hallucinations, and evidence of having done things without remembering them.

A woman has just confided in the nurse that her partner slapped and kicked her that morning. What is the best response by the nurse? A) "Maybe he didn't mean to do it. Have you talked with him about it?" B) "Oh my goodness, I cannot believe that happened to you. You poor thing, I feel terrible for you." C) "It's very brave of you to tell me all this. Help is available if you choose it." D) "Is this the first and only time he has done anything?"

C) "It's very brave of you to tell me all this. Help is available if you choose it." When talking with a woman who is a victim of intimate partner violence, it is important not to uses expressions of emotionality or judgement such as, "Oh my goodness" or "I feel terrible for you." It is also important to validate the victim's story and tell her you believe what happened. Encouraging her to say more while informing her that help is available is the best therapeutic answer.

A nurse is caring for a client who was raped at gunpoint. The client does not want any photos taken of her injuries. The client also does not want the police to be informed about the incident even though state laws require reporting life-threatening injuries. Which intervention should the nurse perform to document and report the findings of the case? A) Document only the descriptions of medical interventions taken. B) Obtain photos to substantiate the client's case in a court of law. C) Respect the client's opinion and avoid informing the police. D) Use direct quotes and specific language.

D) Use direct quotes and specific language. The nurse should use direct quotes and specific language as much as possible when documenting. The nurse should not obtain photos of the client without informed consent. The nurse should, however, document the refusal of the client to be photographed. Documentation must include details as to the frequency and severity of abuse and the location, extent, and outcome of injuries, not just a description of the interventions taken. The nurse is required by law to inform the police of any injuries that involve knives, firearms, or other deadly weapons or that present life-threatening injuries.

The nurse is talking to a female client who is a survivor of intimate partner violence. The woman relates that her husband has been told that he has the characteristics of an antisocial personality disorder. The woman also informs the nurse that her husband has an extensive criminal record. The nurse interprets this information and suspects that the woman's husband would demonstrate which behavior? A) symptoms of depression along with harboring feelings of inadequacy B) purposefully remain socially isolated from people other than those in his family C) intermittent remorse for the violence and abuse that he commits D) moderate to severe violence with people both within and outside his family

D) moderate to severe violence with people both within and outside his family The woman's husband belongs to the group of perpetrators who are generally violent and engage in moderate to severe violence, both inside and outside of the home; they tend to meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder and are likely to have an extensive history of criminal behavior. These perpetrators become aggressive when they misinterpret neutral and positive emotional cues as negative and when they are unable to identify expressions of fear. Another group of perpetrators, family-only perpetrators, engage in lower severity violent behaviors and exhibit the lowest levels of psychopathology. A third group of perpetrators, those with borderline personality disorder characteristics or dysphoria, engage in moderate to severe violence and demonstrate the highest levels of emotional volatility, dependency, and psychological distress. These perpetrators have a heightened sensitivity to emotional displays that predisposes them to interpret social situations as threatening and to respond with emotional dysregulation, verbal attacks, and physical violence.