A 76-year-old adult female is brought to a neighborhood client after b

A 76-year-old adult female is brought to a neighborhood client after being found wandering around the local park. The client appears disheveled and reports being hungry.

Which of the following assessment and interview findings would cause the nurse to suspect elder abuse? (Select all that apply.)
1. Keeps asking when she can go
2. Repeatedly states, “Don’t hurt me.”
3. Chafing around wrists and ankles
4. Bruises in various stages of healing
5. Falls asleep in the examination room
6. Can’t name the President of the United States

ANSWER

ANS: 2, 3, 4
These findings and behaviors are consistent with those exhibited by older adults who have expe-rienced physical and/or emotional abuse. The remaining options are not as directly connected with abuse and may be a result of other physical or cognitive disorders.