A nurse is providing care for a client who is malnourished and appears exhausted. What data would cause the nurse to suspect the client is a victim of human trafficking? The client:

Choice A Reason: The diathesis-stress model assists the client in identifying their level of stress or anxiety.

This statement is incorrect because the diathesis-stress model does not primarily focus on helping clients identify their current levels of stress or anxiety. Instead, it is a framework used to understand how predispositional vulnerabilities (diatheses) and external stressors interact to influence the development of psychological disorders. While understanding stress levels can be part of a broader assessment, it is not the main purpose of the diathesis-stress model.

Choice B Reason: The diathesis-stress model assists in telling me how stressed a client is.

This statement is also incorrect. The diathesis-stress model is not a tool for measuring or quantifying a client’s current stress levels. Rather, it is a theoretical model that explains how stress interacts with an individual’s vulnerabilities to potentially trigger mental health issues. The model helps clinicians understand the interplay between genetic, biological, and environmental factors, but it does not provide a direct measure of stress.

Choice C Reason: The diathesis-stress model assists in identifying risk factors or vulnerabilities for stress.

This statement is correct. The diathesis-stress model is designed to identify and understand the risk factors or vulnerabilities (diatheses) that make an individual more susceptible to developing psychological disorders when exposed to stress. These vulnerabilities can be genetic, biological, psychological, or situational. By identifying these factors, clinicians can better predict which individuals are at higher risk for developing mental health issues under stress and can tailor interventions accordingly.

Choice D Reason: The diathesis-stress model assists in identifying what mental health disorder related to stress the client has.

This statement is partially correct but not entirely accurate. While the diathesis-stress model can help in understanding the development of mental health disorders, it does not specifically identify which disorder a client has. The model provides a framework for understanding how various factors contribute to the onset of disorders, but a comprehensive clinical assessment is required to diagnose specific mental health conditions.

Choice A Reason:

Strong negative feelings interfere with assessment and judgment.

This statement is the most accurate explanation for why a nurse needs to be aware of their own feelings while working with a family experiencing domestic violence. Negative emotions such as anger, frustration, or sadness can cloud a nurse’s judgment and hinder their ability to objectively assess the situation. These feelings can lead to biased decision-making, which may compromise the quality of care provided to the victim. For instance, a nurse who feels anger towards the abuser might unconsciously project these feelings onto the victim, affecting their ability to offer unbiased support and intervention. Therefore, maintaining emotional awareness is crucial for ensuring accurate assessments and effective interventions.

Choice B Reason:

Awareness protects one’s own mental health.

While it is true that being aware of one’s feelings can help protect a nurse’s mental health, this statement does not directly address the impact of these feelings on the assessment and judgment process. Emotional awareness is important for self-care and preventing burnout, but the primary rationale for emotional awareness in the context of domestic violence is to ensure that the nurse can provide objective and effective care. Therefore, this choice is not as relevant to the specific question as choice A.

Choice C Reason:

Positive feelings promote the development of sympathy for clients.

Positive feelings such as empathy and compassion are important in nursing, but they can also lead to over-identification with the client, which may result in blurred professional boundaries. While sympathy can foster a supportive relationship, it is essential for nurses to maintain a balance between empathy and professional detachment to provide objective care. This statement does not fully capture the importance of emotional awareness in preventing negative feelings from interfering with assessment and judgment.

Choice D Reason:

Strong positive feelings lead to underinvolvement with the victim.

This statement is less accurate because strong positive feelings, such as empathy and compassion, are more likely to lead to over-involvement rather than underinvolvement. Over-involvement can result in blurred boundaries and difficulty maintaining professional objectivity. However, the primary concern in the context of domestic violence is the interference of negative feelings with assessment and judgment, making this choice less relevant to the question.