Chapter 33: Survivors of Violence and Trauma

Chapter 33: Survivors of Violence and Trauma

 

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

 

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

 

MULTIPLE CHOICE

 

1. For a victim of spousal abuse, a deterrent to leaving the abusive situation are the events that occur in which stage?

a.	Tension building
b.	Honeymoon
c.	Processing
d.	Battering

 

 

ANS:  B

In the honeymoon stage the perpetrator is apologetic and kind, attempting to undo the harm of the battering incident. The perpetrator promises never to repeat the battering. The events occurring in the other options would not be deterrents to leaving. The processing stage is not an actual stage in the cycle.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Understanding        REF:   pp. 436- 437 Box 33-5

TOP:   Nursing process: Planning               MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

2. A woman who has been repeatedly abused by her partner comes to the emergency department with severe contusions. She tells the nurse, “He almost killed me this time. I guess I should do something.” What is the nurse’s priority intervention?

a.	Document the woman’s injuries.
b.	Help the patient devise a safety or escape plan.
c.	Encourage the patient to take independent action.
d.	Provide referrals contingent on the patient leaving the abuser.

 

 

ANS:  B

Individuals who are victims of partner abuse should have an escape plan. This is of high priority when the victim’s life is endangered. Encouraging the victim to take independent action is of less help than offering concrete assistance such as providing referrals and giving emergency phone numbers. Referrals should never be contingent on leaving, which might be possible only after the victim has made use of the referral and has assistance in place. Documentation is important, but not the nurse’s first action.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   pp. 438-439; Box 33-7

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

3. Which intervention would be most therapeutic as a nurse cares for a victim of partner abuse?

a.	Validate the truthfulness of the victim’s comments.
b.	Avoid pressuring the victim or disparaging the abuser.
c.	Acknowledge the victim’s inability to change the situation.
d.	Encourage the partner to stay with the victim during an interview.

 

 

ANS:  B

Nurses should never pressure a victim to leave the abuser. The patient must make the decision without coercion. Leaving is dangerous, because it escalates the violence and might result in death. Neither should the nurse disparage the perpetrator. The victim still cares about the batterer. The nurse should ask directly about abuse. The nurse should not suggest that the individual is unable to take constructive action. The patient should have a safe environment, without the abuser, to discuss the events. The nurse should not question the truthfulness of the victim’s complaints.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Applying                REF:   pp. 438- 439

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity

 

4. A survivor of childhood abuse is hospitalized following an episode of wrist cutting. The patient has a history of binge–purge eating disorder as well as difficulty trusting and relating to others. What is the nurse’s priority intervention?

a.	Set limits on self-harmful behavior.
b.	Foster belief in and valuing of family unity.
c.	Confront abnormal eating patterns and self-mutilation.
d.	Encourage discussion of personal responsibilities associated with abuse.

 

 

ANS:  A

Setting limits on self-mutilating behavior or purging is necessary to provide for the safety needs of the patient. Individuation should be fostered. The victim should not be encouraged to accept any personal responsibility for the abuse. The patient is aware of the eating patterns and self-mutilation; confrontation will not build trust.

 

DIF:    Cognitive level: Analyzing              REF:   pp. 433-434, Key Interventions 33-1

TOP:   Nursing process: Implementation     MSC:  NCLEX: Psychosocial Integrity