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A nurse visits the home of an 11-year-old child and finds the child caring for three younger siblings. Both parents are at work. The child says, 'I want to go to school but we can't afford a babysitter. It doesn't matter; I'm too dumb to learn.' What preliminary assessment is evident?
- A. Insufficient data are present to make an assessment.
- B. Child and siblings are experiencing neglect.
- C. Children are at high risk for sexual abuse.
- D. Children are experiencing physical abuse.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A child is experiencing neglect when the parents take away the opportunity to attend school. The other children may also be experiencing physical neglect, but more data should be gathered before making the actual assessment. The information presented does not indicate a high risk for sexual abuse, and no concrete evidence of physical abuse is present.
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An adult tells the nurse, 'My partner abuses me only when drinking. The drinking has increased lately, but I always get an apology afterward and a box of candy. I've considered leaving but haven't been able to bring myself to actually do it.' Which phase in the cycle of violence prevents the patient from leaving?
- A. Tension building
- B. Acute battering
- C. Honeymoon
- D. Recovery
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The honeymoon stage is characterized by kindly, loving behaviors 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 recovery stage.
After treatment for a detached retina, a victim of intimate partner violence says, 'My partner only abuses me when intoxicated. I've considered leaving, but I was brought up to believe you stay together, no matter what happens. I always get an apology, and I can tell my partner feels bad after hitting me.' Which nursing diagnosis applies?
- A. Social isolation, related to lack of community support system
- B. Risk for injury, related to partner's physical abuse when intoxicated
- C. Deficient knowledge, related to resources for escape from the abusive relationship
- D. Disabled family coping, related to uneven distribution of power within a relationship
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Risk for injury is the priority diagnosis because the partner has already inflicted physical injury during violent episodes. The episodes are likely to become increasingly violent. Data are not present that show social isolation or disabled family coping, although both are common among victims of violence. Deficient knowledge does not apply to this patient's use of defense mechanisms.
What is a nurse's legal responsibility if child abuse or neglect is suspected?
- A. Discuss the findings with the child's teacher, principal, and school psychologist.
- B. Report the suspected abuse or neglect according to state regulations.
- C. Document the observations and speculations in the medical record.
- D. Continue the assessment.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Each state has specific regulations for reporting child abuse that must be observed. The nurse is usually a mandated reporter. The reporter does not need to be sure that abuse or neglect has occurred but only that it is suspected. Speculation should not be documented; only the facts are recorded.
An employee has recently been absent from work on several occasions. Each time, this employee returns to work wearing dark glasses. Facial and body bruises are apparent. During the occupational health nurse's interview, the employee says, 'My partner beat me, but it was because there are problems at work.' What should the nurse's next action be?
- A. Notify the police.
- B. Refer the employee to a shelter.
- C. Notify the adult protective agency.
- D. Document injuries with a body map.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Documentation of the injuries provides a basis for possible legal intervention. The abused adult will need to make the decision to involve the police. Because the worker is not an older adult and is competent, the adult protective agency is unable to assist. A shelter may be suggested later, but it is not the next action.
Which rationale best explains why a nurse should be aware of personal feelings while working with a family experiencing family violence?
- A. Self-awareness protects one's own mental health.
- B. Strong negative feelings interfere with assessment and judgment.
- C. Strong positive feelings lead to under involvement with the victim.
- D. Positive feelings promote the development of sympathy for patients.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Strong negative feelings cloud the nurse's judgment and interfere with assessment and intervention, no matter how well the nurse tries to cover or deny personal feelings. Strong positive feelings lead to overinvolvement with the victim.