A woman is in the emergency department for the fifth time this year, e

A woman is in the emergency department for the fifth time this year, each time with more severe injuries. Which of the following is the primary responsibility of the nurse?

a. Insist she be discharged to a safe shelter where the perpetrator cannot find her
b. Provide information regarding safe shelters and sources of support
c. Report the assault and battery to the local police department so the perpetrator is arrested for the crime
d. Treat the injuries and inform the woman she may be killed if she stays with the perpetrator

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: B
Working with victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) requires the nurse to establish rapport and trust; deal with issues of confidentiality honestly; provide current information regarding shelters and sources of support; and recognize and accept that clients may “choose” to stay in an abusive relationship. Because the nurse wants to establish rapport and trust, it would not be in the best interest of building this relationship if the nurse insist that she go to a safe shelter (rather the nurse should provide her the necessary information) or inform the woman she may be killed (rather the nurse should recognize and accept that the client may “choose” to stay in an abusive relationship). Additionally, the nurse should recognize that even if the assault is reported, it may be denied by the woman and will not result in an arrest of the perpetrator.