The nurse in the emergency department is obtaining a medical history from a female patient. Her husband answers the nurse’s questions before the patient can respond. The patient is quiet, trembling, and the nurse notes bruising to her face and arms. How does the nurse proceed?

Ask the husband to leave, and ask the patient about the possibility of abuse. When inquiring about the possibility of physical or sexual abuse, it is imperative that the patient feels free to be honest and is assured of confidentiality. This involves isolating the patient from family and friends, especially if one of those present is suspected of being the abuser. It is not ideal to directly ask the patient about probable abuse when there are people present who might embarrass or intimidate them. Confronting the abuser is never a good decision because of the volatility of the situation and the probable repercussions for the patient. History should always be obtained directly through the patient, whenever possible, and not from a second party.

The nurse in the emergency department is obtaining a medical hist...

Category: Psychosocial Integrity
Difficulty: 3

Topics: Communication & Documentation Crisis Management Health Screening

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