A home health nurse visits a 78-year-old man in his home. The man is a

QUESTION

A home health nurse visits a 78-year-old man in his home. The man is ambulatory and shows no physical distress; however, his clothing appears soiled and smells of urine. What do these findings indicate?

1. Institutional abuse
2. Self-neglect
3. Domestic abuse
4. Emotional abuse

ANSWER:

Correct Answer: 2

The three categories of elder abuse are domestic elder abuse, institutional elder abuse, and self-neglect. Self-neglect is characterized as the behavior of the elderly person that threatens health and safety; it is usually a failure to provide sufficiently for him or herself. Institutional abuse refers to abuse occurring in residential facilities such as nursing homes. Domestic abuse refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of an older person by someone who has a special relationship with the elder. Emotional or psychological abuse is defined as the infliction of anguish, pain, or distress through verbal or nonverbal acts