Sexual Assault Flashcards
The nurse is caring for a patient in the emergency department who was sexually assaulted just hours earlier. Which behaviours should the nurse expect if the patient was exhibiting controlled-style reactions?
a. Shock and numbness demonstrate an inner, contained and reserved, or controlled, style of expression.
b. Volatility and anger are outward and expressed styles of reaction.
c. Crying and sobbing are outward and expressed styles of reaction.
d. Smiling and laughing are outward and expressed styles of reaction.
a. Shock and numbness demonstrate an inner, contained and reserved, or controlled, style of expression.
The nurse is caring for a patient who has just been sexually assaulted. Which is the appropriate initial nursing response?
a. Providing referral sources and safety contacts is important; however, initial rapport and assessment are required first.
b. While STI and pregnancy testing may be desired, seeking consent before initial rapport and assessment would be premature and possibly unnecessary.
c. Initially, safety, trust, and rapport must be established. Reinforcing that “You are safe here” would be a useful early response.
d. Initial assessment of minor cuts and bruises is an important part of nursing care, but safety and trust must be established first.
c. Initially, safety, trust, and rapport must be established. Reinforcing that “You are safe here” would be a useful early response.
A patient who has been sexually assaulted has chosen to accept pregnancy prophylaxis medication but states she does not believe in abortion. What information can you, as a nurse, give that will help with her decision?
a. Explaining in lay language the purpose of the emergency contraception will assist in the decision making and planning for a patient in a sexual assault crisis.
b. Because emergency contraception must be taken within five days of the assault to be effective (and is most effective up to three days post-assault), the response to take a few more days to consider options is not going to help in the decision making.
c. In a time of urgent care and crisis, providing referral agency contacts for later provision of emergency contraception is not a timely response.
d. Withholding the requested emergency contraception would not be a helpful response to aid in decision making.
a. Explaining in lay language the purpose of the emergency contraception will assist in the decision making and planning for a patient in a sexual assault crisis.
The nurse is working at a telephone hotline centre when a sexual assault survivor calls. If the sexual assault survivor states she is fearful of going to the hospital, what is the appropriate nursing response?
a. While it is helpful to validate the feelings experienced by the survivor calling in, the nurse must not reinforce fears and anxieties by discouraging the support provided at the hospital.
b. Validating the caller and encouraging the expression of feelings is helpful following acute sexual assault, as is providing reassurance and direction. Likely, the survivor will be experiencing acute trauma and crisis.
c. Suggesting the survivor invited the assault or otherwise blaming the survivor would be an inappropriate response and is an example of secondary victimization.
d. The caller’s fears about going to the hospital may not have anything to do with seeking medical attention. Rather than speaking for the caller, the nurse should refrain from “why” questions and provide support and direction as needed.
b. Validating the caller and encouraging the expression of feelings is helpful following acute sexual assault, as is providing reassurance and direction. Likely, the survivor will be experiencing acute trauma and crisis.
The nurse is caring for a patient who is in the long-term reorganization phase of rape-trauma syndrome. Which symptom(s) should the nurse anticipate? Select all that apply.
a. The nurse can anticipate the potential for fear of locations that resemble the rape location for a patient in long-term reorganization phase.
b. Emergence of acceptance of the rape would be indicative of recovery from the trauma.
c. Dreams with violent content and flashbacks can be anticipated in the long-term reorientation phase of rape-trauma syndrome.
d. A shift from anxiety to calm would be indicative of recovery from the trauma.
e. In the long-term reorientation phase of rape-trauma syndrome, the nurse can anticipate that the patient may experience fears of being alone.
a. The nurse can anticipate the potential for fear of locations that resemble the rape location for a patient in long-term reorganization phase.
c. Dreams with violent content and flashbacks can be anticipated in the long-term reorientation phase of rape-trauma syndrome.
e. In the long-term reorientation phase of rape-trauma syndrome, the nurse can anticipate that the patient may experience fears of being alone.
