Family Violence and Sexual Assault Flashcards
You see a woman for a routine cervical smear test. She is accompanied by her partner. You notice scratch and bite marks on her lower abdomen and thighs. You are called away to another urgent case just after taking her smear and have no further opportunity to talk to her. Which of the following is an appropriate way to followup your observations?
a) ring her at home to ask how things are going at home
b) post her a letter with information on domestic violence
c) post her an appointment for a repeat cervical smear
d) send a text message to her asking her to ring you
e) ring the school their children attend to see if the teacher has noticed signs of domestic violence in the children
c) post her an appointment for a repeat cervical smear
A woman discloses one episode of abuse by her partner but says it was because she had prepared a dinner he did not like. The most appropriate response is
a) advise her to make a safety plan to leave if required.
b) advise her to talk to her husband and see if he will accept counselling
c) advise that she is putting her life in danger and should end the relationship.
d) advise her that physical violence is unacceptable and show her how to access information or help should she want it.
e) advise her to take out a protection order.
d) advise her that physical violence is unacceptable and show her how to access information or help should she want it.
You are the Senior House Officer on duty in an Emergency Department of a New Zealand hospital. An woman, who appears intoxicated, presents with heavy vaginal bleeding and on further enquiry she tells you she thinks she has been sexually assaulted. Choose the most appropriate response.
a) The patient should remain ‘nil by mouth’
b) Taking swabs for later forensic analysis is your first priority
c) Examination must be delayed until a DSAC (Doctors for Sexual Abuse Care) doctor is available
d) You should take a detailed history of the assault before contacting DSAC
e) You are required by law to contact the police, but you should inform the patient first
a) The patient should remain ‘nil by mouth’
A patient in Antenatal clinic discloses that her partner kicked her in the abdomen on the way to clinic. She is 32 weeks’ pregnant. She has no contractions and no vaginal bleeding. Fetal movements are normal. What advice should she be given?
a) She should end the relationship
b) A 30 minute CTG should be performed
c) She should see the clinic social worker and if a place is available could go directly from clinic to a Women’s Refuge
d) Pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of intimate partner violence and recurrence of violence is unlikely
e) If she is Rhesus negative, Anti-D is still recommended even if a Kleihauer test shows no fetal red cells
e) If she is Rhesus negative, Anti-D is still recommended even if a Kleihauer test shows no fetal red cells
A 28 year old woman presents for a routine cervical smear. Her last one was 3 years ago and showed low grade dysplasia (LSIL/CIN1/HPV). She has previously cancelled appointments for a followup smear. You have been her GP for many years. Her past medical history includes a history of depression, borderline personality disorder and attempted suicide. As she begins to undress for the examination she becomes tearful and says she doesn’t think she can cope with this. Choose the best response.
a) Since her smear is so overdue, explain to her how important it is to do this as soon as possible and encourage her to continue with the examination
b) Defer the smear test, ask her to get dressed again and ask about any previous sexual abuse
c) Refer her to the Gynaecology clinic to have the smear taken under intravenous sedation
d) Reassure her that a smear test shouldn’t be painful and ask her if she would like a nurse present
e) Reschedule the appointment and give her a prescription for an oral benzodiazepine to take 1 hour before the appointment
b) Defer the smear test, ask her to get dressed again and ask about any previous sexual abuse
