The nurse is caring for a victim of interpersonal violence who tells the nurse, "I am really scared about going back to my apartment. I am afraid my boyfriend might try to hurt me again." What is the nurse's best response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

3. If the patient is ready to leave, the nurse must help ensure the patient's safety by helping the patient find temporary, safe shelter. For patients who need time or are not ready to leave an abusive situation, it is important to help them develop plans for their safety (and for the safety of their family, if the victim has children or other dependents) and provide support until they are able to resolve this problem. The nurse can support the patient in contacting the police and filing a domestic violence report, but doing so will not ensure the patient's immediate safety, which is the nurse's priority for care.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Victim of Interpersonal Violence