Question 1

A young adult has recently had multiple absences from work. After each absence, this adult returned to work wearing dark glasses and a long-sleeved shirt. During an interview with the occupational health nurse, this adult says, "My partner beat me, but it was because I did not do the laundry." What is the nurse's next action?

Accepted Answer

Documentation of injuries provides a basis for possible legal intervention. In most provinces and territories, the abused adult needs to make the decision to involve the police, unless there are issues of age or competency. Because the worker is not a child and is competent, a provincial or territorial social services agency is unable to assist. Admission to the hospital is not necessary.

Question 2

The parents of a 15-year-old seek to have this teen declared a delinquent because of excessive drinking, habitually running away, and prostitution. The nurse interviewing the teen should recognize that these behaviours often occur in which of the following adolescents?

Accepted Answer

Failing grades, alcohol and drug abuse, increased incidence of theft and violent behaviours, running away from home, and unstable and unsatisfactory relationships are frequently seen in teens who are abused. These behaviours are not as closely aligned with any of the other options.

Question 3

After treatment for a detached retina, a survivor of intimate partner abuse says, "My partner only abuses me when I make mistakes. I've considered leaving, but I was brought up to believe you stay together, no matter what happens." Which diagnosis should be the focus of the nurse's initial actions?

Accepted Answer

Risk for injury is the priority diagnosis because the partner has already inflicted physical injury during violent episodes. The other diagnoses are applicable, but the nurse must first address the patient's safety.

Question 4

Which referral will be most helpful for a woman who was severely beaten by her intimate partner, has no relatives or friends in the community, is afraid to return home, and has limited financial resources?

Accepted Answer

Because the woman has no safe place to go, referral to a shelter is necessary. The shelter will provide other referrals as necessary.

Question 5

An adult has recently been absent from work for 3-day periods on several occasions. Each time, the individual returned wearing dark glasses. Facial and body bruises were apparent. What is the occupational health nurse's priority assessment?

Accepted Answer

The individual should be assessed for possible battering. Physical injuries are abuse indicators and are the primary focus for assessment. No data support the other options.

Question 6

An adult tells the nurse, "My partner abuses me when I make mistakes, but I always get an apology and a gift afterward. I've considered leaving but haven't been able to bring myself to actually do it." Which phase in the cycle of violence prevents this adult from leaving?

Accepted Answer

The honeymoon stage is characterized by kind, loving behaviours toward the abused spouse when the perpetrator feels remorseful. The victim believes the promises and drops plans to leave or seek legal help. The tension-building stage is characterized by minor violence in the form of abusive verbalization or pushing. The acute battering stage involves the abuser beating the victim. The violence cycle does not include a stabilization stage.

Question 7

A survivor of physical spousal abuse was treated in the emergency department for a broken wrist. This patient said, "I've considered leaving, but I made a vow and I must keep it no matter what happens." Which outcome should be met before discharge?

Accepted Answer

The only outcome indicator clearly attainable within this time is for staff to provide the victim with information about community resources that can be contacted. Development of insight into the abusive relationship and reexamining cultural beliefs will require time. The patient may or may not press charges against the abuser with the police; however, this is not an outcome to be met before discharge.

Question 8

Which comment by the nurse would best support relationship building with a survivor of intimate partner abuse?

Accepted Answer

Offering hope, identifying strengths, and displaying confidence that the person can take care of him- or herself are important aspects of nursing care. The correct option uses the therapeutic technique of reflection. It shows empathy, an important nursing attribute for establishing rapport and building a relationship. None of the other options would help the patient feel accepted.

Question 9

An 11-year-old says, "My parents don't like me. They call me stupid and say they wish I were never born. It doesn't matter what they think because I already know I'm dumb." Which nursing diagnosis applies to this child?

Accepted Answer

The child has indicated a belief in being too dumb to learn. The child receives negative and demeaning feedback from the parents. The child has internalized these messages, resulting in a low self-esteem. Deficient knowledge refers to knowledge of health care measures. Disturbed personal identity refers to an alteration in the ability to distinguish between self and non-self. Grieving may apply, but a specific loss is not evident in the scenario. Low self-esteem is more relevant to the child's statements.

Question 10

An older woman diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease lives with family and attends day care. After observing poor hygiene, the nurse talked with the caregiver. This caregiver became defensive and said, "It takes all my energy to care for my mother. She's awake all night. I never get any sleep." Which nursing intervention has priority?

Accepted Answer

The patient's caregivers were coping with care until the patient began to stay awake at night. The family needs assistance with evening and night care to resume their pre-crisis state of functioning. Secondary prevention calls for the nurse to mobilize community resources to relieve overwhelming stress. The other interventions may then be accomplished.

Question 11

An older adult with Lewy body dementia lives with family and attends a day care centre. A nurse there noticed the adult had a disheveled appearance, strong odor of urine, and bruises on the limbs and back. What type of abuse might be occurring?

Accepted Answer

Lewy body dementia results in cognitive impairment. The assessment of physical abuse would be supported by the nurse's observation of bruises. Physical abuse includes evidence of improper care as well as physical endangerment behaviours, such as reckless behaviour toward a vulnerable person that could lead to serious injury. No data substantiate the other options.

Question 12

Several children are seen in the emergency department for treatment of various illnesses and injuries. Which assessment finding would create the most suspicion for child abuse?

Accepted Answer

Determine whether a child demonstrates signs of physical abuse, including numerous injuries in various stages of healing; unexplained bruises and welts; unexplained pattern, immersion, and friction burns; facial, spiral, shaft, or multiple fractures; unexplained facial lacerations and abrasions. In older children, vague complaints such as back pain may also be suspicious. Ear infections, diarrhea, and abdominal pain are problems that were unlikely to have resulted from violence.

Question 13

An older adult with Lewy body dementia lives with family. After observing multiple bruises, the home health nurse talked with the daughter, who became defensive and said, "My mother often wanders at night. Last night she fell down the stairs." Which nursing diagnosis has priority?

Accepted Answer

The patient is at high risk for injury because of her confusion. The risk increases when caregivers are unable to give constant supervision. Insomnia, chronic confusion, and wandering apply to this patient; however, the risk for injury is a higher priority.

Question 14

Which rationale best explains why a nurse should be aware of personal feelings while working with a family experiencing family violence?

Accepted Answer

Strong negative feelings cloud the nurse's judgement and interfere with assessment and intervention, no matter how well the nurse tries to cover or deny feelings. Strong positive feelings lead to overinvolvement with victims rather than healthy transference.

Question 15

An older adult with Alzheimer's disease lives with family in a rural area. During the week, the person attends a day care centre while the family is at work. In the evenings, members of the family provide care. Which factor makes this patient most vulnerable to abuse?

Accepted Answer

Older adults are at high risk for violence, particularly those with cognitive impairments. The other characteristics are not identified as placing an individual at high risk.

Question 16

What is a nurse's legal responsibility if child abuse or neglect is suspected?

Accepted Answer

According to provincial or territorial legislation, any suspected or actual cases of child abuse must be reported to the official social service agency. The nurse is a mandated reporter. The reporter does not need to be sure that abuse or neglect occurred, only that it is suspected. Speculation should not be documented, only the facts.

Question 17

What feelings are most commonly experienced by nurses working with abusive families?

Accepted Answer

Intense protective feelings, helplessness, and sympathy for the victim are common emotions of a nurse working with an abusive family. Anger and outrage toward the abuser are also common emotions of a nurse working with an abusive family.

Question 18

A patient tells the nurse, "My husband lost his job. He's abusive only when he drinks too much. His family was like that when he was growing up. He always apologizes and regrets hurting me." What risk factor was most predictive for the husband to become abusive?

Accepted Answer

An abuse-prone individual is an individual who has experienced family violence and was often abused as a child. This phenomenon is part of the cycle of violence. The other options may be present but are not as predictive.

Question 19

An adult has a history of physical violence against family when frustrated, followed by periods of remorse after each outburst. Which finding indicates a successful plan of care?

Accepted Answer

The patient will have developed a healthier way of coping with frustration if it is expressed verbally instead of physically. The incorrect options do not confirm achievement of outcomes.

Question 20

An 11-year-old reluctantly tells the nurse, "My parents don't like me. They said they wish I was never born." Which type of abuse is likely?

Accepted Answer

Examples of emotional abuse include having an adult demean a child's worth, frequently criticize, or belittle the child. No data support physical battering or endangerment, sexual abuse, or economic abuse.

Quiz 27: Interpersonal Violence: Child, Older Adult, and Intimate Partner Abuse