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:

d. Speaks another language and is in need of an interpreter to translate.

The correct answer is…

c. Is accompanied by a family member who will not let the client answer questions.

Choice A Reason:

The statement that the client is from another state and says they are here on a long vacation could be a sign of human trafficking, but it is not definitive. People often travel for various reasons, and being from another state does not necessarily indicate trafficking. However, if combined with other suspicious behaviors, it could raise concerns. Traffickers often move victims to different locations to avoid detection, but this alone is not enough to suspect trafficking.

Choice B Reason:

Having a cell phone that is not working in the emergency department might be suspicious, but it is not a strong indicator of human trafficking. There could be many reasons for a non-functioning cell phone, such as technical issues or lack of service. While traffickers might control victims’ communication devices, this alone does not provide enough evidence to suspect trafficking.

Choice C Reason:

Being accompanied by a family member who will not let the client answer questions is a strong indicator of human trafficking. Traffickers often pose as family members or friends to maintain control over their victims and prevent them from speaking freely. This behavior is a red flag because it suggests that the accompanying person is trying to control the interaction and possibly hide something. Healthcare providers are trained to recognize this as a potential sign of trafficking.

Choice D Reason:

Speaking another language and needing an interpreter to translate is not a strong indicator of human trafficking. Many people who are not victims of trafficking may speak different languages and require translation services. While language barriers can complicate communication, they are not in themselves indicative of trafficking. However, if combined with other suspicious behaviors, it could contribute to the overall assessment.

d. Speaks another language and is in need of an interpreter to translate.

The correct answer is c. Is accompanied by a family member who will not let the client answer questions.

Choice A Reason: Is from another state and says they are here on a long vacation

This choice is not necessarily indicative of human trafficking. While being from another state and claiming to be on a long vacation might raise some questions, it is not a definitive sign of trafficking. Many people travel for various reasons, and this alone does not suggest that the person is a victim of human trafficking.

Choice B Reason: Has a cell phone that is not working in the emergency department

This choice is also not a strong indicator of human trafficking. A non-working cell phone can be due to many reasons, such as technical issues or lack of service. While traffickers may sometimes control their victims’ communication devices, this alone is not enough to suspect trafficking.

Choice C Reason: Is accompanied by a family member who will not let the client answer questions

This choice is a strong indicator of human trafficking. Traffickers often control their victims’ interactions with others, including healthcare providers. If a family member or companion is overly controlling and does not allow the client to speak for themselves, it raises a significant red flag for potential trafficking. This behavior is often seen in trafficking situations to prevent the victim from disclosing their true circumstances.

Choice D Reason: Speaks another language and is in need of an interpreter to translate

This choice is not a definitive sign of human trafficking. Many people who are not victims of trafficking may speak another language and require an interpreter. While language barriers can complicate communication, they do not alone indicate trafficking. However, if combined with other signs, it could contribute to a suspicion of trafficking.