A rape victim says to the nurse, I always try to be so careful. I ...

[jake]

A rape victim says to the nurse, I always try to be so careful. I know I should not have walked to my car alone. Was this attack my fault? Which communication by the nurse is most therapeutic?
 
  a. Support the victim to separate issues of vulnerability from blame.
  b. Emphasize the importance of using a buddy system in public places.
  c. Reassure the victim that the outcome of the situation will be positive.
  d. Pose questions about the rape and help the patient explore why it happened.

Question 2

The nursing diagnosis Rape-trauma syndrome applies to a rape victim in the emergency department. Select the most appropriate outcome to achieve before discharging the patient.
 
  a. The memory of the rape will be less vivid and less frightening.
  b. The patient is able to describe feelings of safety and relaxation.
  c. Symptoms of pain, discomfort, and anxiety are no longer present.
  d. The patient agrees to a follow-up appointment with a rape victim advocate.

[kusterl]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A
Although the victim may have made choices that made her vulnerable, she is not to blame for the rape. Correcting this distortion in thinking allows the victim to begin to restore a sense of control. This is a positive response to victimization. The distracters do not permit the victim to begin to restore a sense of control or offer use of non-therapeutic communication techniques. In this interaction, the victim needs to talk about feelings rather than prevention.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
Agreeing to keep a follow-up appointment is a realistic short-term outcome. The victim is in the acute phase; the distracters are unlikely to be achieved during the limited time the victim is in an emergency department.

[jake]

Thanks for the timely response, appreciate it

[alvinum]

Excellent