Violence/Child Abuse Test 1 Flashcards

How is violence defined in healthcare contexts?

Intentional use of physical force or power (threatened or actual) against oneself, another person, or a group/community, likely resulting in injury, death, psychological harm, maldevelopment, or deprivation.

What is interpersonal violence?

Harmful acts within relationships, including physical assault, sexual violence, and homicide.

What is the focus of primary prevention in violence?

Teaching and education to prevent violence before it occurs.

What is the focus of secondary prevention in violence?

Screening to identify and intervene early in cases of violence.

What is the nurse’s role in screening for violence?

Be aware of and use appropriate screening tools for your specific clinical setting.

What is the priority intervention when interpersonal violence is suspected?

Protect the infant, child, adult, or elder from further abuse.

Define intimate partner violence (IPV).

Emotional, sexual, or physical harm inflicted by a current or former partner or spouse.

Who can experience IPV?

Anyone — including same-sex couples, adolescents, and older adults.

What are the four main forms of IPV?

Physical violence, sexual violence, emotional abuse, and stalking.

Examples of physical IPV?

Slapping, kicking, punching, biting.

Examples of emotional IPV?

Humiliation, diminishing self-esteem for control.

What is stalking in IPV?

Persistent unwanted attention or threats, including toward family or friends.

What is important when assessing IPV?

Be non-judgmental regardless of gender, orientation, culture, or socioeconomic status.

What should nurses do to support IPV victims?

Empower the victim, offer emotional support, and provide referrals to community resources.

Why might IPV victims hesitate to seek help?

Fear of retaliation, escalation of abuse, or shame.

How do IPV abusers exert control?

By controlling finances and decision-making to prevent the victim from leaving.

Why might elders not report abuse?

Shame, fear of repercussions, or fear of institutionalization.

What is the nurse’s legal responsibility regarding elder abuse?

Report all suspected cases to Adult Protective Services.

What are common signs of elder abuse?

Unexplained bruises, fearful demeanor, hunger, reluctance to speak about caregivers.

What are forms of elder abuse?

Physical injury, withholding essentials, confinement, theft, sexual abuse, threats.

What is neglect in elder care?

Passive failure to meet an elder’s needs, including hygiene, safety, and medical care.

What causes neglect?

Lack of knowledge, financial hardship, caregiver burnout, or inadequate support.

What is caregiver burnout and how does it relate to abuse?

Physical or emotional exhaustion that may lead to frustration and abusive behavior.

What types of families are high risk for elder abuse?

Those with history of conflict, violence, substance abuse, mental illness, or financial stress.

What if an elder refuses to leave an abusive home?

It is their choice; family may be required to attend counseling to alter abusive behavior.

What is the role of support groups for caregivers?

Provide emotional relief, coping strategies, and shared experiences.

What should nurses encourage caregivers to do?

Use respite care and protect their own health and well-being.

What is child abuse?

Intentional harm or injury to a child, including physical abuse, neglect, emotional abuse, verbal abuse, and sexual abuse.

What are the types of child abuse?

Physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, verbal abuse, sexual abuse.

What is the cycle of violence?

Tension builds → communication fails → abuse/threat occurs → victim is blamed → aggressor shows love/promises change → cycle repeats.

What are vulnerability factors?

Factors that increase the risk of child abuse.

What are precipitating factors?

Life stressors that give rise to violence (e.g., drugs, alcohol, employment issues).

What are protective factors?

Factors that decrease the risk of child abuse.

What is shaken baby syndrome?

Coup-contrecoup brain injury from violent shaking, causing bruising, swelling, pressure, and permanent brain damage.

How quickly can shaken baby syndrome occur?

Within 5 seconds of violent shaking.

What is physical abuse?

Deliberate maltreatment that inflicts pain or injury, possibly causing disfigurement or death.

What are signs of physical abuse?

Burns (e.g., hot bathtub, cigarette), bruises, bilateral injuries, unexplained marks.

What is physical neglect?

Failure to provide necessary resources such as supervision, nutrition, hygiene, shelter, and healthcare.

What behaviors indicate physical neglect?

Locking child in car, poor hygiene, inadequate supervision, housing instability.

What is emotional abuse?

Psychological maltreatment including shaming, ridiculing, embarrassing, or insulting the child.

What are examples of emotional abuse?

Destroying personal items, belittling in front of others, verbal insults, withholding affection.

What are long-term effects of emotional abuse?

Poor self-esteem, inability to live a normal life, anxiety, depression, aggression, delinquency.

What is sexual abuse?

Exploitation of a child for adult sexual gratification, including incest and threats to silence the child.

Who are common perpetrators of sexual abuse?

Parent, guardian, or male friend of the child’s mother.

What are long-term effects of sexual abuse?

Shame, guilt, anger, hostility, decreased self-esteem, self-destructive behavior, eating disorders, substance abuse, suicide risk.

What are behavioral signs of abuse?

Anxiety, fear, shame, aggression, depression, inappropriate friendliness with strangers.

What are developmental signs of abuse?

Poor physical growth, failure to meet milestones, poor social skills, inability to communicate.

How is child abuse diagnosed?

Through careful history, physical exam, and possibly genitourinary exam or mental health interviews.

Do children routinely make false allegations of abuse?

No, false allegations are rare.

What should nurses do when abuse is suspected?

Seek clarification, report, follow up, and advocate for the child.

What is the role of play therapy?

Helps children express trauma and begin healing.

Why interview parent and child separately and together?

To observe interactions and detect signs of abuse or fear.

What if a child withdraws their accusation?

They may have been threatened or coerced.

What must nurses differentiate during assessment?

True abuse vs. cultural variations in discipline or behavior.

What should abused children be reminded of?

They did nothing wrong and are not to blame.

What is rape-trauma syndrome?

A variant of PTSD that occurs after actual or attempted sexual assault, consisting of an acute phase and a long-term reorganization phase.

What are the long-term psychological effects of sexual assault?

Depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, fear, low self-esteem, sexual dysfunction, and somatic complaints.

Who can experience rape-trauma syndrome?

Individuals of any age or gender.

What is the nurse’s first priority when caring for a rape survivor?

Self-assess attitude, posture, and presence to ensure empathetic, non-judgmental care.

When does the acute phase occur?

Immediately after the assault, lasting 2–3 weeks.

Where are patients typically seen during the acute phase?

Emergency department.

(Rape Trauma Syndrome)

What are common somatic symptoms in the acute phase?

Migraines, chest pain, panic attacks, insomnia.

What are common emotional reactions in the acute phase?

Shock, numbness, disbelief, confusion, hysteria, crying, inappropriate laughter.

(Rape Trauma Syndrome Acute Phase)

What cognitive impairments may occur?

Difficulty concentrating, impaired decision-making, slurred or incoherent speech.

(Rape Trauma Syndrome Acute Phase)

What behaviors may minimize the event’s magnitude?

Reluctance to seek medical care or legal follow-up.

What should nurses do during the acute phase?

• Maintain chain of evidence

• Perform head-to-toe assessment with consent

• Preserve clothing

• Prevent showering

• Offer rape kit and pregnancy prevention

• Document injuries in detail

• Provide emotional support

• Offer follow-up counseling resources

What attitude should nurses maintain?

Non-judgmental, empathetic, protective—not sympathetic.

(Rape Trauma Syndrome Acute Phase)

What communication style is recommended?

Slow, calm, and respectful; always ask permission before assessments.

When does the reorganization phase begin?

After 2–3 weeks post-assault.

(RTS- Long Term Recognition phase)

What are common intrusive thoughts?

Anger toward assailant, flashbacks, violent dreams, insomnia.

What are signs of increased activity?

Moving away, changing phone numbers, visiting old friends, fear of being found.

(RTS- Long Term Recognition Phase)

What are common fears?

Crowds, sexual encounters, being alone.

What are signs of emotional lability?

Intense anxiety, mood swings, crying spells, depression.

(Rape Trauma Syndrome)

What coping behaviors may survivors exhibit?

Crying, withdrawing, smoking, alcohol/drug use, agitation, inappropriate laughter, talking about the event.

What determines coping style?

Survivor’s previous coping strategies for difficult life events.

Why assess the survivor’s support system?

Strong support reduces somatic stress symptoms and improves recovery.

What should nurses observe in survivors?

Verbal and nonverbal cues indicating social support strength.

What cultural considerations may affect recovery?

Some cultures associate sexual assault with family shame.

What do family and friends of survivors often need?

Support and reassurance.

What are key nursing priorities in rape-trauma care?

• Treat and document injuries

• Preserve evidence

• Offer counseling resources

• Support survivor’s autonomy

• Avoid re-traumatization

• Help survivor mourn losses and rebuild

What is the nurse’s ultimate goal in rape-trauma care?

Help the survivor return to pre-crisis functioning, recognizing that full restoration may take time.

Can someone be a manager without being a leader?

Yes. One can be a manager and not a leader. To be a leader, the manager must demonstrate leadership qualities and competencies.

Are leadership and management the same?

No. Leadership and management are not the same.

What is the goal in nursing regarding leadership and management?

To have managers who are also leaders.

What are the four classic management functions?

Planning, Organizing, Leading, Controlling.

What does planning involve in management?

Defining goals and objectives, developing policies and procedures, allocating resources, and creating evaluation methods.

What does organizing involve in management?

Determining communication processes, structuring teams, coordinating people/time/work, and setting clear expectations.

What does staffing involve in management?

Recruiting, hiring, training, scheduling, ongoing development, and self-assessment.

What does directing involve in management?

Encouraging goal achievement, communicating, delegating, motivating, and managing conflict.

What does controlling involve in management?

Monitoring quality of care, analyzing financials, and conducting performance reviews.

What are RNs trained to do?

Manage patient care.

Why are nurse managers successful?

Because they exhibit control over the work environment.

What are nurse managers directly responsible for?

Maintaining standards of care, managing fiscal resources, and developing staff.

What management style is needed in modern healthcare?

Democratic or participative management style.

Why is staff involvement important in decision-making?

If staff don’t feel involved, they won’t give everything they have.

What are healthcare settings driven to improve?

Cost effectiveness, quality, customer satisfaction, and patient outcomes.

What are the characteristics of autocratic/authoritative style?

Makes all decisions, micromanages, ignores input, gives little feedback. Not suitable for nursing.

What are the characteristics of democratic/participative style?

Encourages staff input, builds responsibility, communicates well. Ideal for nursing.

What are the characteristics of laissez-faire style?

Provides no guidance, avoids decisions, minimal feedback. Not effective in nursing.

What are the key steps in the assessment phase?

Gather information, identify the problem and symptoms, identify people/groups involved, consider cultural/environmental factors, and encourage input from all parties.