A nurse in an emergency department is performing an assessment on a client who reports being sexually assaulted. Which of the following actions should the nurse take first?
Ask the client for permission to take photographs.
Provide community sexual assault support contacts.
Document the client's verbatim statements.
Determine any physical signs of injury.
The Correct Answer is C
Answer: c. Document the client's verbatim statements.
Here's why the other options are wrong:
- a. Ask the client for permission to take photographs: While photographs may be collected as evidence later, it should not be the first priority. The priority is to focus on patient care and emotional well-being.
- b. Provide community sexual assault support contacts: Offering support resources is important, but documenting the details of the assault is crucial for forensic and legal purposes, and should come first.
- d. Determine any physical signs of injury: Looking for physical injuries is important, but documenting the client's account should come first. This ensures the client's narrative is captured accurately and can be referred to later.
Documenting the client's verbatim statements is the most important initial action because:
- It preserves the client's account of the assault in their own words.
- It allows for accurate reporting and investigation.
- It can be used as evidence in legal proceedings.
Here are some supporting points:
- The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN): "Law enforcement will need to take a detailed statement about the assault, and a medical professional will likely perform a physical exam. Be prepared to answer questions about what happened." [1]
- The National Sexual Assault Hotline: "Law enforcement will want to get a statement from you as soon as possible after the assault. Try to remember the details of the assault as clearly as you can." [2]
In conclusion, while all the other options are important aspects of caring for a sexual assault survivor, documenting the client's verbatim statements is the most critical initial action for a nurse to take in the emergency department setting.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
The correct answer is choice C. Suspended from school several times in the past year.
Choice A rationale:
The client's father's recent death (Choice A) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. While emotional disturbances can be associated with conduct disorder, the primary characteristics involve behavioral issues rather than reactions to significant life events.
Choice B rationale:
Adhering strictly to routines (Choice B) is not a common expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder is characterized by patterns of defiant and disruptive behaviors, not necessarily a rigid adherence to routines.
Choice C rationale:
Suspended from school several times in the past year (Choice C) aligns with the expected assessment findings of conduct disorder. Conduct disorder often involves aggressive behavior towards others, violation of rules, and disregard for the rights of others, which can lead to disciplinary actions such as school suspensions.
Choice D rationale:
Experiencing frequent facial tics (Choice D) is not a typical expected assessment finding of conduct disorder. Facial tics are associated with conditions like Tourette's syndrome or other tic disorders, not conduct disorder.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The correct answer is choice D: Continuous worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness.
Choice A rationale:
Sudden unexplained loss of peripheral sensation is not typically associated with illness anxiety disorder. This symptom may be indicative of a neurological condition and would require further medical evaluation to determine the cause.
Choice B rationale:
Obsession over a fictitious defect in physical appearance is more characteristic of body dysmorphic disorder, not illness anxiety disorder. Individuals with body dysmorphic disorder are preoccupied with one or more perceived defects or flaws in their physical appearance, which are not observable or appear slight to others.
Choice C rationale:
Having prior physical health followed by the need for two surgeries within the last three months does not necessarily indicate illness anxiety disorder. This choice does not provide enough context to link it to illness anxiety disorder, as it could be related to many other health conditions.
Choice D rationale:
Continuous worry about the undiagnosed presence of an illness is a key finding in illness anxiety disorder. Individuals with this disorder are excessively concerned with and preoccupied by the belief that they have, or are in danger of developing, a serious undiagnosed illness despite medical reassurance.
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