CHAPTER 10 Violence and Elder Mistreatment

CHAPTER 10 Violence and Elder Mistreatment

Complete Chapter Questions With Answers

Sample Questions Are Posted Below

10.1•Identify the correct statement describing the abuse of elderly persons in the United States.

1. Elder abuse is the most often reported form of domestic violence.
2. Statistically, neglect is the most common form of elder abuse.
3. Most cases of elder abuse are reported to the proper authorities.
4. Healthcare practitioners are only mandated to report verified, not suspected, cases of elder abuse.

Answer: 2

Rationale: Although it is not always thought of as abuse, neglect is statistically the most common form of elder abuse.

Diagnosis

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Analysis

10.2•An acquaintance tells a nurse she suspects a relative might be a victim of elder abuse by a family member. The nurse advises the acquaintance to

1. call the relative’s pastor and ask what members of the parish have observed.
2. plan to visit the relative frequently during a 2-week period and then confront the family with her suspicions.
3. complete a confidential report with the adult protective services in the area.
4. ask the relative if she is being abused.

Answer: 3

Rationale: The best advice is to make a confidential report with the local adult protective agency. Suspected cases should be reported at once to the agency, which will send a trained investigator to determine whether an abusive or imminently dangerous situation exists and will be able to offer safety to the victim and resources to the relative and family members. Referring the case to the pastor, making a personal investigation, or asking the relative about abuse will not quickly obtain a safe environment, investigation, or agency help if indicated.

Planning

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Analysis

10.3•Select the situation that describes a case in which the caregiver is at highest risk for caregiver stress, a risk for elder abuse.

1. an adult employed son who lives with his mother and receives assistance daily from two other siblings
2. an adult daughter who lives with her father, is active in her church, and has a hired nursing aide stay at night to care for her father while she sleeps
3. an adult daughter who is an only child, has her mother living in her home, and uses respite care 2 days per week
4. an adult son who is a recovering alcoholic, lives with his mother, and depends on her retirement pension for living expenses

Answer: 4

Rationale: Caregiver attributes that are associated with elder abuse include being a male abuser of a female elder; suffering from impairments, such as alcohol abuse, mental illness, or dementia; lacking strong social support; or being financially dependent. Attributes that decrease the likelihood of abuse include having social support, being financially independent, and receiving assistance with caregiving and respite services.

Assessment

Safe, Effective Care Environment

Analysis

10.4•Which of the following cases seen by a nurse working in the emergency department identifies a situation that suggests a case of elder mistreatment?

1. an 85-year-old male who has several small areas of bruising on the back of the hands and is taking clopidogrel sisulfate (Plavix) and aspirin daily
2. an 86-year-old woman who has three dime-size burned areas on her upper inner thigh
3. a 77-year-old woman who fell at home after tripping over her dog and broke her arm about 30 minutes earlier
4. a 73-year-old male with a history of gastric ulcers who is found to be anemic after vomiting blood 3 hours earlier

Answer: 2

Rationale: The elderly woman who has skin burns suggestive of cigarette burns in an area normally covered by clothing is suggestive of abuse. Bruising is common in clients taking antiplatelet medications, who have thin skin (as with the old–old), and in the hands, an area that is easily bumped. A client with a broken bone that is consistent with an injury event and seeks medical attention promptly is not generally suspect for elder abuse. The client with a positive history of gastric ulcer and active bleeding would be expected to have anemia.

Diagnosis

Physiological Integrity

Analysis