Author Question: A nurse manager in the emergency department (ED) wants to ensure that the staff conducts thorough ... (Read 89 times)

swpotter12 · **on:** Jul 22, 2018

A nurse manager in the emergency department (ED) wants to ensure that the staff conducts thorough and consistent screens for intimate partner violence (IPV) on every woman but is concerned about privacy.

The best intervention by the manager would be to formulate a policy that a. all female patients must be assessed by the nurse before having others present.
b. creates a survey with a check-off box indicating the patient needs help with IPV.
c. each patient, male or female, is given a short questionnaire to complete on IPV.
d. allows only the patient into the ED until the nurse has done a complete assessment.

Question 2

A nurse in the emergency department (ED) wants to screen a patient for intimate partner violence (IPV), but the woman's partner will not leave her side. Which intervention by the nurse would be best?

a. Ask the patient the questions with the partner present, because he will not leave.
b. Bluntly tell the partner he has to leave so the nurse can assess the patient.
c. Have security escort the partner to the ED waiting room.
d. Tell the patient she will help her collect a urine specimen in the restroom.

bobsmith · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

D
A policy of admitting only the patient into the ED until the nurse is able to complete a physical assessment and screen for IPV would be most likely to be beneficial and not arouse the suspicion of the batterer. Privacy is of the utmost importance during this time.
A policy that pertained only to women would likely make a batterer suspicious, and he and the patient might resist its implementation.
Unless the survey was completed in privacy, the woman would not feel safe answering it honestly.
Assessing both male and female patients is a good idea because anyone can be the victim of IPV, but filling out a questionnaire in the presence of the batterer would not be safe.

Answer to Question 2

D
Telling the patient that she will help her collect a urine sample in the restroom is the best response because it will likely get the woman away from the partner for a short time, during which the nurse can assess for IPV and help the woman make a plan for her safety. In extreme cases, with the woman and partner now separated, the partner can be escorted out and the woman assisted to leave safely. Privacy is of the utmost importance when asking about IPV, and the nurse should ensure the patient's privacy during this time.
A nurse should never assess a woman for IPV with the partner present.
Bluntly telling the partner he must leave will likely result in anger and resistance on the part of the partner, and the woman may side with the partner and insist he be allowed to remain if she is fearful of the consequences of having him leave.
Having security escort the partner to the ED waiting room would be very confrontational, and the patient may become fearful and side with the partner to avoid future violence.