Population Specific Care Related

Review Population Specific Care related questions and content

After being raped, a woman was told by her aunt, 'I'm not surprised that happened to you. You were asking for it.' A few days later, a friend told her, 'Well after all, he took you to dinner. He expected something in return.' The victim states, 'I can't believe that people can think that way.' The rape crisis nurse correctly hypothesizes that the client is:

  • A. Experiencing cognitive dissonance.
  • B. In denial about the rape.
  • C. Seeking validation from others.
  • D. None of the above.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Experiencing cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance refers to the mental discomfort or conflict that occurs when a person's beliefs or attitudes are inconsistent with their actions or experiences. In this scenario, the woman is facing conflicting beliefs - she knows she did not ask for or deserve to be raped, yet the comments from her aunt and friend suggest otherwise. This leads to the woman feeling disbelief and distress.

Summary:
B: In denial about the rape - This choice does not address the conflicting beliefs the woman is experiencing.
C: Seeking validation from others - While seeking validation may be a natural response, it does not capture the essence of cognitive dissonance in this context.