Crisis and Abuse

Question 1

What is one of the main characteristics of a crisis?

Answer 1

Precipitated by specific identifiable events

Question 2

What length of time is a crisis limited to?

Answer 2

4-6 weeks

Question 3

A patient comes in after a destressing event with disorganized behavior and escalating anxiety. Which phase of the crisis do you suspect they are experiencing?

Answer 3

Phase 2

Question 4

The nurse’s role in a crisis is to… name three interventions

Answer 4

Maintain safety, manage mood (ANXIETY), and help with coping

Question 5

What are the four phases of crisis intervention performed by the nurse?

Answer 5

Assessment, planning therapeutic intervention, intervention, and evaluation of resolution

Question 6

What results when a normal emotion, anger, is not expressed in a healthy manner?

Answer 6

Aggression

Question 7

A patient who has not been seen by a provider yet expresses his anger to the nurse about how long he has been waiting. The patient quickly gets up with his hands on his hips, clenched fists, and begins pacing. What do these characteristics point to and what are the nurse’s next actions.

Answer 7

Aggression, use de-escalation techniques to calm the patient.

Question 8

What are common comorbidities associated with anger and aggression?

Answer 8

Depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, psychotic delusions

Question 9

How should a nurse set limits with a patient who is showing signs of aggression?

Answer 9

Be calm and direct, inform patient of consequences, plan for a show of force

Question 10

What are the five types of violence/abuse?

Answer 10

Physical, sexual, emotional, neglect, and economic

Question 11

What are the characteristics of a person vulnerable to violence?

Answer 11

Low self-esteem, feelings of helplessness, hopelessness, denial, guilt, shame

Question 12

In the cycle of violence, which of the following contains promising to change and apologizing for behavior?
Tension-building stage
Acute battering stage
Honeymoon stage

Answer 12

Honeymoon stage

Question 13

A 7-year-old girl comes into the clinic with her parents claiming that she fell during recess. You notice that the mother is quiet with her head down and the father is standing close by. Upon further assessment, you find bruises in various stages of healing and a strange bruising pattern on the wrist she came in for. What do you suspect, what is your next step.

Answer 13

Physical abuse; mandatory reporting.

Question 14

If a survivor of rape does not report or inform anyone of the assault, what type of reaction are they exhibiting?

Answer 14

Silent rape reaction

Question 15

Name three risk factors for experiencing violence.

Answer 15

Attempting to leave relationship, pregnancy, children under age four, older adults who are vulnerable

Question 16

Your friend is in a new relationship with her male partner who likes to drink alcohol regularly. You notice that he is quick to anger but your friend tends to accept blame. What stage in the cycle of violence might be present?

Answer 16

Tension building stage

Question 17

You see a patient who has just lost their job, they attempt to use their usual coping skills to calm themself but they struggle to adapt. What is this patient most likely experiencing?

Answer 17

A crisis