Sexual Violence Practice Questions
The nurse is caring for a patient who is a victim of rape. Which statement indicates the patient has not reached the reorganization stage of healing? "I can't stop crying when I think about the attack." "I met a new man and went out on a date with him." "I go to the crisis center every other week for group sessions." "I can talk to others about the attack and am not overwhelmed anymore."
"I can't stop crying when I think about the attack." Uncontrolled crying when remembering the attack indicates the victim is still in the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome. Meeting someone and going on a date indicates trust has occurred. Continuing counseling and being able to talk about the attack without becoming overwhelmed indicate healing.
The emergency department nurse is obtaining a history from a patient following a date rape. Which prescription should the nurse anticipate for the patient? Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Antibiotic Narcotic Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
Antibiotic The nurse can anticipate a prescription for antibiotics to prophylactically treat any potential sexually transmitted infection (STI). SSRIs, narcotics, and NSAIDs are not indicated at this time.
The nurse is caring for a rape victim who is scheduled for a session with a therapist. Which statement describes the specific benefit of a therapist during the initial stages of therapy? Helps the patient develop coping mechanisms Assists the patient in processing the trauma Identifies medications for treatment Improves the self-esteem of the patient
Assists the patient in processing the trauma Initially after the trauma, a therapist can help an individual process the trauma. The therapist can later assist the patient with the identification of coping mechanisms and improving self-esteem through group therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), or individually working with the patient. The primary role of the therapist is not to identify medications for treatment.
The nurse is reviewing the chart for a patient who is exhibiting signs of the inability to recover from a rape. Which assessment finding should the nurse anticipate? Periods of shame Hostility Increased startle reaction Flashbacks
Flashbacks The assessment finding the nurse anticipates for the patient exhibiting signs of inability to recover from a rape is flashbacks. Flashbacks are a clinical manifestation of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Periods of shame, hostility, and an increased startle reaction occur during the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome.
The nurse is caring for a rape victim in the emergency department. Which term describes a psychologic element of rape? Anxiety Perceived danger Berating Distress
Berating The psychologic elements of rape include berating the victim. Anxiety, perceived danger, and distress are consequences of the psychologic element of rape.
The nurse caring for a patient who has experienced rape is focusing on therapeutic communication. Which communication technique should the nurse utilize? Provide reassurance. Provide warm blankets. Encourage the patient to ask questions. Reassure that the patient is safe.
Encourage the patient to ask questions. The nurse will facilitate communication with the patient by encouraging the patient to ask questions. Providing reassurance addresses the concept of development. The provision of warm blankets and reassuring that the patient is safe promote comfort.
The nurse is teaching about an individual's risk factors for perpetration of sexual violence. Which factor included by a participate indicates the need for further teaching? Empathetic deficits Exposure to sexually explicit material Late sexual initiation Delinquency
Late sexual initiation The risk factors for an individual's perpetration of sexual violence include empathetic deficits, suicidal behavior, delinquency, and exposure to sexually explicit material. Early sexual initiation, not late sexual initiation, is also an identified risk factor.
The nurse is caring for a patient with physical injuries resulting from rape. Which nursing diagnosis is the most appropriate for the patient? Powerlessness, Risk for Self-Esteem, Situational Low, Risk for Pain, Acute Self-Concept, Readiness for Enhanced
Pain, Acute Pain, Acute is the most appropriate nursing diagnosis for the physical injuries that occurred as the result of a rape. The potential for powerlessness, decreased self-esteem, and decreased self-concept are diagnoses reflective of the psychosocial effect of rape.
The nurse is reviewing the risk factors for sexual violence related to personal relationships. Which risk should the nurse associate with perpetrators' personal relationships? Poverty Hostility toward women Poor parent-child relationship Societal norms that support sexual violence
Poor parent-child relationship The risk factor for sexual violence the nurse associates with perpetrators' personal relationships is poor parent-child relationships. This occurs particularly with poor father-child relationships. Poverty is a community factor. Hostility toward women is an individual risk factor. Societal norms that support sexual violence are a societal risk factor.
The nurse is assessing the plan of care initiated for a patient who is a victim of rape. Which finding indicates that the plan of care should be revised? The patient has agreed to the physical assessment. The patient has asked for a rape counselor. The patient has allowed the physical evidence to be collected. The patient has refused to report the rape or accept help.
The patient has refused to report the rape or accept help. The plan of care will be revised if the patient refuses to report the rape or accept help. The refusal of help indicates that the patient is still in the shock phase. Allowing the nurse to perform a physical assessment, requesting a rape counselor, and allowing physical evidence to be collected indicate the patient is meeting the goals of the plan of care.
The nurse is admitting a patient who is a rape victim to the emergency department. Which statement by the nurse is most therapeutic during the admission process? "I want to reassure you that you are safe now." "Would you like me to call someone for you?" "Would you like me to notify the police?" "Can I get you some warm blankets or something to drink?"
"I want to reassure you that you are safe now." When conducting a nursing assessment for a patient who has been raped, nurses first need to ensure the patient's safety. The statement "I want to reassure you that you are safe now" is the most therapeutic. The remaining statements do not address the patient's safety. The nurse can offer to call someone for the patient after a therapeutic relationship has been established. The nurse will discuss the patient's option for notifying the police at a later point during care. Offering warm blankets and something to drink is a comfort measure and can be offered after the evidence has been gathered from clothing and swabbing of the oral cavity.
The nurse is teaching a group of colleagues about the dangers of date-rape drugs. Which statement by one of the colleagues indicates the need for further teaching? "I'll make sure I always keep my drink with me." "I'll let someone know if my friend appears really drunk after only one or two drinks." "I will watch my drink being made by the bartender." "I will inspect my drinks because date-rape drugs always release a blue dye."
"I will inspect my drinks because date-rape drugs always release a blue dye." Date-rape drugs do not always release a blue dye. The statements about always keeping the drink with you, notifying someone if a friend appears more drunk than warranted by the actual amount of alcohol consumed, and watching the drink being made by the bartender all promote safety.
The nurse is caring for a rape victim who refuses the prescribed antibiotics. Which response by the nurse is correct? "It is not necessary for you to take medication." "The medication will help treat possible sexually transmitted infections." "The medication will help you forget the trauma." "The medication will prevent pregnancy."
"The medication will help treat possible sexually transmitted infections." Numerous sexually transmitted diseases and infections can be contracted during a rape regardless of whether the attacker used a condom or not. Therefore, it is important to explain this to the patient. It is not appropriate to tell the patient that it is not necessary to take the antibiotics. The patient needs the correct information to make an informed decision. Antibiotics are not used to help the patient forget the trauma or prevent pregnancy.
The nurse is providing education about sexual abuse and rape to the parent of a young child. Which statement describes the reason the nurse will discuss the subject matter with the parent? A large percentage of survivors report having been raped prior to 18 years of age. Children have the highest risk of being raped. The majority of perpetrators who rape children are strangers. Environmental factors predispose a child to rape.
A large percentage of survivors report having been raped prior to 18 years of age. The nurse should discuss childhood sexual abuse and rape with a parent because a large percentage of survivors report having been raped prior to 18 years of age. Children do not have the highest risk factor for rape. The majority of perpetrators are people the family trusts, not strangers. Environmental factors can predispose a child to rape; however, this can be included in the teaching after the topic has been presented to the parent.
The nurse is working with a rape survivor. Which eating disorder should the nurse monitor in the patient? Anorexia Purging Obesity Cachexia
Anorexia Rape survivors are at a high risk for developing an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, or a crossover between the two. One of the main components of both anorexia and bulimia is control over what the individual is consuming and over the nutrients that stay in the body or are forcefully discarded. Purging is a behavior in some eating disorders and is characterized by recurrent self-induced vomiting or abuse of laxatives, diuretics, or enemas to lose weight; there is not a purging disorder. Obesity is not associated with rape trauma. Cachexia is body wasting associated with a severe chronic illness.
The nurse is caring for a victim of rape in the emergency department. Which action should not be included in the nursing plan of care? Calling the police Providing safety for the patient Assessing for wounds Offering counseling services
Calling the police The police are not called unless requested by the victim. Providing safety for the patient prior to the assessment, assessing the wounds, and offering counseling services are part of the nursing care of the patient.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has been raped. Which is the most important nursing consideration when providing care for the patient? Cultural practice Developmental age Emotional injury Physical disability
Developmental age The most important nursing consideration when caring for a patient who has been raped is the developmental age of the patient. The approach to nursing care, interventions, and communication will be based on the patient's developmental age. Cultural practices, emotional injury, and physical disability are all important considerations when caring for a patient who is a victim of rape, but they can only be effectively addressed based on the nurse's understanding of the developmental age of the patient.
The nurse is caring for a patient who experienced a rape several months prior. Which collaborative team member may need to be included in the plan of care for the patient? Dietitian Physical therapist Occupational therapist Pharmacist
Dietitian Rape survivors are at a high risk for developing an eating disorder, including anorexia, bulimia, or a crossover between the two. The patient may require a dietitian to assist with nutritional needs. Dietary interventions include assessing nutritional intake to maintain adequate body mass index (BMI). There is no indication the patient may require a physical therapist, occupational therapist, or pharmacist.
The nurse is providing information to a rape victim about the importance of following up with prescribed diagnostic testing. Which prescribed diagnostic test performed initially will be repeated at 3, 6, and 12 months? Gonorrhea HIV Chlamydia Trichomoniasis
HIV Testing for HIV infection is done on arrival to the emergency department and again at 3, 6, and 12 months after the rape. It is not usually necessary to repeat testing for gonorrhea, chlamydia, or trichomoniasis.
The nurse is caring for a pregnant woman who has been raped by her spouse. Which statement best describes the nurse's understanding of marital rape? Marital rape is legal. Marital rape can be committed by an acquaintance. Marital rape is not acknowledged in some cultures. Marital rape is characterized by only physical abuse.
Marital rape is not acknowledged in some cultures. Marital rape is not acknowledged in many cultures around the world. Marital rapes often go unreported; however, 9% of all rapes reported are perpetrated by a husband or ex-husband. Marital rape is illegal in all states. Rape committed by an acquaintance is considered acquaintance rape. Marital rape can include both physical and emotional abuse.
A new nurse orienting to the emergency department admits a patient who was raped. Which action by the new nurse requires immediate follow-up by the preceptor? Placing the patient in a private room Treating the patient for sexually transmitted infections Administering emergency contraceptive medications with permission Obtaining a history of the incident in the triage area
Obtaining a history of the incident in the triage area Interviewing the patient in the triage area does not provide the patient with privacy. Appropriate nursing interventions for this patient include placing the patient in a private room, providing treatment for potential sexually transmitted infections, and administering emergency contraceptive medications with the permission of the patient.
A patient in a support group for rape survivors states, "I do not understand why I need to come to this group." Which response by the nurse is most appropriate? "Medication is not as helpful for recovery, so you are encouraged to attend a support group." "I can help you find another group if you do not feel this is working out for you." "The group often takes charge of the victim's recovery process." "The group provides a safe place to discuss your own individual experience."
"The group provides a safe place to discuss your own individual experience." Rape victims attending group meetings are able to share coping mechanisms and support each other so that a participant can feel less alone. Furthermore, meeting with other survivors allows the victim to discuss the rape experience without feelings of being judged and shamed. Medication is often used in addition to counseling. Offering to assist the patient to find another group does not address the patient's concern. With an increased awareness and understanding of their experience and feelings, patients are in charge of their own recovery.
The nurse is reviewing the prescribed treatment for a male victim of rape. The patient asks, "Why is an anal swab required?" Which statement by the nurse is most appropriate? "The test is part of the rape kit that is used." "To collect DNA and to check for sexually transmitted infections." "The police require the evidence." "It is used to check for injury."
"To collect DNA and to check for sexually transmitted infections." DNA evidence may help identify the perpetrator; the swab will also test for sexually transmitted infections. The response referring to the rape kit does not answer the patient's question. The evidence is collected and saved in a rape kit with a special serial number. The evidence is not given to the police unless the victim chooses to report it to the police. A swab is not used to check for injury.
The nurse is caring for an older patient who is experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after being raped. Which collaborative intervention should the nurse include in the plan of care? Follow-up care for physical trauma Cognitive-behavioral therapy Collection of specimens to use as evidence Medications for headaches and nausea
Cognitive-behavioral therapy Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a clinical therapy used to treat patients experiencing PTSD. Follow-up care for physical trauma, collection of specimens to use for evidence, and medications for treatment of somatic symptoms such as headaches and nausea are clinical therapies for the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome.
The nurse is caring for a patient experiencing the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome (RTS) who is exhibiting a compound reaction. Which clinical manifestation should the nurse recognize as a reactivated condition? Somatic reactions Suicidal behavior Guilt Inappropriate laughter
Suicidal behavior The nurse caring for the patient who is exhibiting a compound reaction in the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome anticipates the reappearance of symptoms from previous conditions, such as suicidal behavior. Other reactivated symptoms could include psychotic behavior, depression, and substance abuse. During a compound reaction, reactivated symptoms of a previous condition occur in addition to the symptoms characteristic of the acute phase of RTS. Somatic reactions, guilt, and inappropriate laughter are clinical manifestations of the acute phase of rape.
The nurse is caring for a patient who reports flashbacks and nightmares due to a rape that occurred over a year ago. Which statement by the nurse about this patient is accurate? The patient is experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The patient is in the acute phase of rape-trauma syndrome. The patient is in the reorganization phase of rape-trauma syndrome. The patient is demonstrating the ability to recover from the trauma.
The patient is experiencing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD occurs when an individual is unable to recover from a trauma and is characterized by flashbacks and nightmares. Rape-trauma syndrome (RTS) is a series of psychologic sequelae that many individuals experience following rape in addition to physiological sequelae. Flashbacks and nightmares are not descriptive characteristics of the acute and reorganization phases of RTS. The patient's symptoms indicate the patient is unable to recover from the trauma.
The nurse is assessing a rape victim who reports insomnia and flashbacks. Which finding demonstrates that the patient has not recovered from the incident? The patient demonstrates effective coping. The patient reports a decrease in negative feelings. The patient reports a decrease in physical symptoms. The patient reports reoccurring memories of the rape.
The patient reports reoccurring memories of the rape. The finding that demonstrates the patient has not recovered from the incident is reoccurring memories of the rape. Coping skills are a part of recovery. A decrease in negative feelings and a decrease in physical symptoms related to anxiety and stress indicate adaptation and coping.
