A nurse in the emergency department (ED)wants to screen a patient for intimate partner violence (IPV), but the woman's partner will not leave her side.Which intervention by the nurse would be best?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Telling the patient that she will help her collect a urine sample in the restroom is the best response because it will likely get the woman away from the partner for a short time, during which the nurse can assess for IPV and help the woman make a plan for her safety.In extreme cases, with the woman and partner now separated, the partner can be escorted out and the woman assisted to leave safely.Privacy is of the utmost importance when asking about IPV, and the nurse should ensure the patient's privacy during this time.A nurse should never assess a woman for IPV with the partner present.Bluntly telling the partner he must leave will likely result in anger and resistance on the part of the partner, and the woman may side with the partner and insist he be allowed to remain if she is fearful of the consequences of having him leave.Having security escort the partner to the ED waiting room would be very confrontational, and the patient may become fearful and side with the partner to avoid future violence.

A Nurse in the Emergency Department (ED)wants to Screen a Patient