A 25-year-old woman expresses concern regarding some of her new ...

[SGallaher96]

A 25-year-old woman expresses concern regarding some of her new boyfriend's behaviors. Which of the following statements might indicate that he has an abusive personality? (Select all that apply.)
 
  a. Even though they have been dating for less than 2 months, he wants to get married as soon as possible.
  b. He does not allow her to go out with friends unless he accompanies them.
  c. He finds fault with her family and seeks to convince her that they are trying to sabotage her relationship with him.
  d. He has a poor relationship with his own parents, blaming them for not supporting him after he was fired from various jobs.
  e. He would like to further his education, but realizes that he must first work for a while to pay off student loans.

Question 2

An unconscious patient is brought to the emergency department by ambulance for trauma treatment.
 
  The patient is wearing a sweat-stained John Deere cap, a denim shirt worn out in the elbows, dirty bib overalls covered with patches, work boots worn thin, and ragged underclothes. Several staff laugh as they stabilize the patient, and one remarks, Farmer John must have fallen off the tractor.. The most appropriate action for the charge nurse is to say: a. So he's a farmerget over it. Thank him for your food and move on..
  b. You are violating this man's right to be treated with respect, and it stops now..
  c. Grow up and do your jobs; I think you have all seen poor people before..
  d. Perhaps you could find an outlet for humor that's not at a patient's expense..

[SVictor]

Answer to Question 1

A, B, C, D
Early signs of an abusive personality include a push for quick involvement, as seen in the rush to get married. Demonstrating jealous and controlling behaviors in not allowing his partner to go out with friends, as well as blaming his family for his own problems, and attempting to isolate his partner from her family are also signs of an abusive personality. Working to pay off loans before furthering education is a realistic expectation and not indicative of an abusive personality.

Answer to Question 2

B
The scenario is an example of a stigmatization of a medically ill patient based on cultural differences such as a possible agrarian vocation and poverty. People tend to stigmatize those who are most unlike themselves, who they least understand or are most anxious about, or who are most disenfranchised. As professionals, nurses should recognize and correct behavior based on stigma, but those laughing at the patient have not done so and are not behaving professionally. They are also violating the patient's human right to dignity. The behavior is grossly unprofessional and carries a risk of compromised patient care; it merits direct and firm confrontation. The correct response labels it for what it is, with firm limits set thereafter. Stating that the staff's behavior is violating the patient's right to be treated with respect clearly communicates that their behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. The other options all redirect the staff but do not carry the gravitas that is needed to indicate clearly how unacceptable their behavior is and set firm limits on it.

[SGallaher96]

Excellent

[Sarahjh]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it