The nurse is assessing an elderly female in the emergency department. There are many bruises present on her body in varying stages of healing. After documenting the bruising in the assessment, what should the nurse do next?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The nurse should not assume the bruises were caused by abuse; the client's explanation is an important step in the assessment of potential abuse. A nurse must assess for abuse prior to getting the supervisor and physician involved. Reporting abuse would be initiated after a thorough assessment.

The Nurse Is Assessing an Elderly Female in the Emergency